The International Judo Federation (IJF) said on May 10 that it had ejected a group of spectators from the World Judo Championships in Doha, Qatar, for refusing to remove a Russian military symbol from their clothing. Three spectators were seen wearing the Ribbon of St. George, which many Ukrainians consider a symbol of Russian aggression and which has been banned in several European countries. The IJF told AFP that the spectators refused to remove the emblem and were thrown out. The IJF has allowed Russian and Belarusian judokas to take part in the championships as neutral competitors.
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