A judo world champion has issued a defiant response after he was handed a five-month ban for violating a little-known rule at the Paris Olympics this summer.
Ahead of his match against Greece’s Theodoros Tselidis back in July, Serbian Nemanja Majdov made a gesture which left the International Judo Federation (IJF) less than impressed.
The gesture broke a key rule, with the IJF having since released its own statement explaining why it banned the 28-year-old two months on from the games.
In part it explained that Majdov had 'removed [his] judogi in the field of play' (the judogi is the name for the uniform Judo athletes wear). By removing it where he did after the match he violated one of the organization's rules.
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But that wasn't why the federation came down so hard on him.
It was because he had 'shown a clear religious sign when entering the field of play', referencing Majdov making the Christian sign of the cross which was televised around the world.
The gesture violates the sport's 'code of ethics'.
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“With 205-member national federations, each representing a different country or recognized territory (associate members), it is the duty of the IJF to ensure that the field of play is reserved for judo and governed exclusively by the rules of our sport,” it said.
Finally, the organization stated that Madjov 'refused to bow to his opponent at the end of the contest'', which again violated its rules.
Taking to Instagram, the Serbian explained why religion is so important to him.
He wrote: "15 days ago I received a decision that I was suspended for five months by the World Judo Federation (IJF) for violating their religious codes.
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"More precisely, because of baptism [making the sign of the cross] when entering a match at the Olympic Games.
"I was banned from participating in all tournaments, camps and preparations. True, in the defense letter of the disciplinary proceedings I did not want to apologize for the baptism, and of course I did not, nor will I ever, although I did not even know what the punishment could be.
"The Lord has given me everything, both for me personally and for my career, and he is number 1 for me and I am proud of that. And that will not change under any condition. Glory to Him and thanks for everything."
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Madjov continued: "Nothing new for me personally, just a new page in my career and a new life experience. I'm sorry that such a beautiful and difficult sport like judo fell for such things. God gave me a great career, 7 European and 3 world medals.
"When I started, I dreamed of winning at least one big medal and thus succeeding in my life and the life of my family, who sacrificed everything for my career. He gave us a lot more, and even borrowed too much so that I would bow my head before them when it came either-or.
"We will rest until then, and then we will return with the help of our Lord Jesus Christ to a new beginning and new victories. Nemanja Majdov loves you, your European and world champion."
Topics: Sport, Olympics, Religion, Catholic Church
Joe Yates