Olympic scandal: Algerians refuse to compete against Israelis - consequences follow immediately

Scandal at the Olympics: A judoka from Algeria refuses to compete against an Israeli - for political reasons.

He is now faced with severe consequences.

Tokyo - At the Olympics, sport itself should be in the foreground - but sporting events are repeatedly exploited for political purposes.

The Algerian judoka Fethi Nourine now caused a scandal.

If Nourine had won his opening fight in the class up to 73 kilograms, he would have had to face the Israeli Tohar Butbul in the second round.

The Algerian withdrew his participation because of this - he did not want to compete against a fighter from Israel for political reasons.

Olmypia scandal: Algerians do not want to compete against Israelis - and is promptly suspended

"We worked a lot to reach the Olympic Games, but the Palestinian cause is bigger than that," he said, explaining his questionable move.

Nourine has now been temporarily suspended by the World Judo Federation IJF, and investigations have been initiated.

The Algerian association also expressly condemned the incident.

"The statements made by Nourine and his coach are in total contrast to our philosophy," said the World Judo Federation.

"Judo is based on solidarity, respect and friendship, we cannot tolerate any form of discrimination." Nourine and his trainer have had their Olympic accreditation withdrawn, the Algerian Olympic Committee is examining sanctions.

A disciplinary commission should decide on further consequences.

Olympia: Algerian judoka is "repeat offender"

"We made the right decision," emphasizes Nourine's coach Amar Ben Yaklif nonetheless.

Already at the Judo World Cup 2019, the two refused to fight the Israeli Butbul.

The judoka’s action is in stark contrast to the Olympic model.

The five entwined Olympic rings represent the union of the five continents and the gathering of athletes from all over the world.

Every athlete is the same, regardless of his or her origin.

According to the founding father Pierre de Coubertin, the peace idea of ​​sport is one of the five principles of Olympia.

"Every exclusively national feeling must be temporarily sent on vacation," said Coubertin at the time.

He's still right today.