Guest in the Grandes Gueules du sport on RMC this Saturday, David Douillet spoke about the reinstatement of the anthem and the Russian flag since the announcement made by the International Judo Federation this Thursday.
This Thursday, the International Judo Federation announced in a press release that Russian judokas will no longer compete under a neutral banner, but again with their anthem and flag. Indeed, since 2023, Russian judokas, as well as Belarusian judokas, had to compete under a neutral banner following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, athletes could participate in events, but no longer had the right to wear the colors of their country.
Only, last June, the International Federation announced the reinstatement of the flag and the anthem for Belarusian athletes, but nothing had yet been mentioned regarding the case of Russian athletes. This has now been done since this Thursday and the Russian anthem has already been able to ring out again this Friday on the occasion of the victory in -60kg of Russian judoka Ayub Bliev, at the Grand Slam in Abu Dhabi.
Douillet believes it is “much too early”
Obviously, such an announcement caused observers to spill ink and react. Guest in the Grandes Gueules du sport on RMC this Saturday, David Douillet, Olympic Champion in Atlanta (1996) and Sydney (2000) spoke on this subject considering that this decision came “much too early”, while specifying: “That the athletes participate, I have always agreed with that, but under a neutral banner and a neutral anthem”.
The former Minister of Sports, who believes “that we need a bridge between what is happening today and the future – because we will have to build the future with Russia, at all levels including in sport”, took the opportunity to support his thoughts: “To be completely frank, it made me happy to hear the anthem again. But things aren’t resolved, it’s too soon. For me, the signal to hear it again is that peace has returned, that it is total. That’s why I was both happy but also disappointed, because it’s not done (for peace). It’s like a bad dream.”
Despite some reluctance regarding this decision, the four-time world champion still tries to understand the approach taken by the International Judo Federation here: “I understand the International Federation which says “we are going to extend a hand to speed up the process”. When we look at reality, we feel that in recent days there has been progress and improvements. We know the double talk of those who wage war against each other, there is always misinformation on both sides, but in any case, we tell ourselves that there is perhaps, finally, a little light coming on. » , before concluding on the subject: “We all hope that peace will return and that it will be lasting. So the message of sport, I understand it, but for me it’s too early. Definitely too early. »
