Tokyo Olympics: Algerian Judoka Refuses to Face Israeli Opponent
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Fethi Nourine pulls out of men’s under 73kg competition after being scheduled to play against an Israeli opponent in second round; ‘Palestinian cause is bigger than all of this,’ he said.
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Algerian judoka Fethi Nourine
The International Judo Federation (IJF) decided to suspend an Algerian judoka on Saturday for withdrawing from the Tokyo Olympics after the draw placed him in a match against an Israeli.
The IJF said in a statement that Fethi Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef issued individual statements to the media announcing their withdrawal from the competition to avoid meeting an Israeli athlete during the event.
The IJF launched an investigation into the case, claiming that Nourine's withdrawal was "completely contrary to the philosophy of the International Judo Federation."
The Algerian Olympic Committee revoked the athlete's and coach's accreditation and announced that they would be sent home, with sanctions imposed, according to the IJF, without elaborating on the nature of the sanctions.
Nourine, a competitor in the men's under-73kg division, stated before his suspension that his political support for the Palestinian cause made it impossible for him to compete against Israeli Tohar Butbul, whom he was scheduled to meet in the second round.
"My position is consistent on the Palestinian issue, and I reject normalization, and if it cost me that absence from the Olympic Games, God will compensate," said Nourine, who was scheduled to compete in the first round on Monday.
“We worked very hard to get to the Olympics, but the Palestinian cause is bigger than all of this, “he added.
On his part, a member of Hamas's political bureau Sami Abu Zuhri commented on Nourine's position, saying that it "states the authentic and consistent Algerian stance on the Palestinian issue," expressing genuine gratitude for the choice of this "Algerian hero."
Activists reacted to Nourine's decision on social media, praising his honorable stance in light of the recent normalization of relations between “Israel” and some Arab countries.
Algeria’s champion, 3 times Africa Champion and world ranked as 31st in Judo, NOURINE FETHI; withdrew from Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, because he was expected to fight a Colonist from Apartheid Israel. He said “this is our duty to the cause of Palestine, which is above all.” pic.twitter.com/3w9QU67H0S
— Laith لَيث (@LaithMarouf) July 22, 2021
