Algerian Athlete Retires in Support of Palestine
Algerian champion Fethi Nourine retires from judoka after the International Olympic Committee suspended him for 10 years for withdrawing the Olympics to avoid facing an Israeli opponent.
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Nourine affirmed that he "will never stop supporting the Palestinian cause, no matter what."
Algerian judoka player Fethi Nourine announced Monday his retirement, two months after the International Olympic Committee suspended him from competitions for 10 years.
Nourine and his coach Amar Benikhlef were banned on account of Nourine's withdrawal from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics' judoka competition to avoid facing an Israeli opponent, in solidarity with Palestine.
In a video, the retired athlete said "I decided to retire after the decision to suspend me for 10 years."
بعد إيقافه 10 سنوات بسبب رفضه منازلة لاعب الاحتلال بطوكيو..
— شبكة قدس الإخبارية (@qudsn) November 22, 2021
البطل الجزائري، فتحي نورين: "أتشرف بالاعتزال من أجل فلسطين". pic.twitter.com/U6Er7aDwhE
"I know that international federations have always colluded with Zionist terrorism, especially the International Judo Federation, and perhaps the best evidence is that my punishment remains the same even after filing an appeal," he stressed.
Nourine affirmed that he "will never stop supporting the Palestinian cause, no matter what."
He also mentioned that he does not regret his decision and that he is proud of it.
The Algerian champion said he will take advantage "of every opportunity to expose the zionist entity and defend our rights in Palestine.”
