(PHOTO: Kontakt)
Originally published in Premier Christian News
A Serbian judo champion has been suspended from the sport for five months for making the sign of the cross during the Paris Olympics.
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28 year old Nemanja Majdov made the sign just before his round 16 match on July 31. Writing this week on social media he said : “15 days ago, I received a notice from the World Judo Federation about a five-month suspension for violating religious codes. More precisely, for crossing myself when entering a fight at the Olympic Games. I am prohibited from participating in all tournaments, training camps and training.”
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The International Judo Federation (IJF) said he’d been suspended for having shown a clear religious sign when entering the field of play, in breach of its code of ethics.
In a statement, the IJF said the player had been warned twice previously, once in 2018 and again in 2022 about making the sign of the cross during competition. It says he was warned that any further breach of the code would be disciplined.
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Writing on social media about his suspension, Majdov said he would not apologise. He said: “The Lord has given me everything, both for me personally and for my career, and he is number 1 for me and I am proud of that. And that will not change under any circumstances.
“Nothing new for me personally, just a new page in my career and a new life experience. I’m sorry that such a beautiful and difficult sport like judo has fallen to such things.
“God gave me a great career, seven European and three world medals. When I started, I dreamed of winning at least one big medal and thus succeeding in my life and the life of my family, who sacrificed everything for my career.”
Majdov, who won the 2023 European Championship and the World Championship in 2017, and who was the runner-up in a World Championship match this year, went on to say he would resume his career next year:
“We will rest until then, and then we will return with the help of our Lord Jesus Christ to a new beginning and new victories.”
In its statement the IJF said: “It must be noted that the athlete did not contest either of the two warnings, therefore, his claims of not knowing about the rule which forbids the display of any religious, political, ethnic or other sign on the field of play in judo, are not accurate.
“The IJF respects and appreciates equally all cultures, nationalities, religions and orientations of all its members, including but not limited to athletes.
“As an international umbrella organisation, it is our duty to make sure that all our stakeholders and especially the athletes, feel respected and accepted, in all our events and activities.
“The IJF does not forbid the practice of religions or religious signs outside the field of play, as we continue to respect the individual freedom of each member of our community.”
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The suspension of Serbian judo champion Nemanja Majdov by the International Judo Federation (IJF) has sparked debate around the intersection of personal beliefs and sports regulations. Majdov’s five-month suspension for making the sign of the cross during the Paris Olympics raises critical questions about how athletes can express their faith while competing under a governing body’s code of ethics.
On one hand, the IJF’s stance stems from its commitment to neutrality, as the display of religious, political, or ethnic symbols is prohibited to ensure that all athletes, regardless of background, feel respected and included. The IJF’s code of ethics prioritizes keeping the field of play free from any form of expression that could potentially alienate or influence participants based on personal beliefs. In its statement, the IJF noted that Majdov had been warned twice before for similar actions and was fully aware of the consequences of further violations.
On the other hand, Majdov’s response highlights the deeply personal nature of his actions. For him, the act of crossing himself is not merely symbolic but central to his identity and success as an athlete. His refusal to apologize reflects his unwavering commitment to his faith, despite the repercussions. From his perspective, the suspension represents a broader conflict between religious freedom and institutional regulations.
This case illustrates the delicate balance sports organizations must maintain between upholding their principles of neutrality and respecting individual expressions of faith. While the IJF seeks to create an inclusive environment by enforcing its rules, Majdov’s case raises the issue of whether such restrictions can, in turn, exclude personal identities tied to religion. The challenge lies in determining where to draw the line between preserving fairness in competition and allowing athletes to express who they are beyond their physical abilities.