An Olympic judoka has been suspended for refusing to compete against an Israeli competitor

[Behind the Aegis]

The International Judo Federation has suspended a judoka who refused to compete against an Israeli athlete at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo.

Fethi Nourine flew to Japan with the Algerian team but withdrew from the Games when he saw he'd been scheduled to fight Tohar Butbul, of Israel, in the second round.

Nourine' also withdrew from the 2019 world championships in Tokyo to avoid facing an Israeli competitor.

"We worked a lot to reach the Olympics," Nourine said, according to Sky News. "But the Palestinian cause is bigger than all of this."

Citing Algerian TV, Sky News added that Nourine said he would not "get his hands dirty."

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Good!

[TomWilm]

1. - would have be better to beat him properly...

[Ziggysmom]

2. What a knob he is. He's done it twice before.

Sad, after the Olympic opening ceremony in Tokyo observed a moment of silence in memory of the 11 Israeli athletes and coaches who were killed by Palestinian terrorists in the 1972 games in Munich.

[SunSeeker]

3. A much better reason for suspension than smoking pot. nt

[Beastly Boy]

4. An asshole punished for using Palestinian people as platform for being an asshole

That was a meaningful contribution to the Palestinian cause.

Thank you, international Judo Federation!

[oldsoftie]

5. Then go home, jackass. Just trying for publicity

Asshat.

[cstanleytech]

6. While I certainly do not care a number of actions the Israeli government has engaged in

I think kicking this guy out was clearly warranted.
I would also not object to a lifetime ban being placed on him from ever competing again as he clearly knew he might have to face someone from Israel.

[KS Toronado]

7. He brought politics into a sporting event

much like reQublicans brought politics into a pandemic
No good place for either.

[DFW]

8. Not get his hands dirty?

Welcome to 1938.

I wonder if the same guy would justify Israelis saying the same thing about him because of Munich, 1972?

In my line of work, I often attend gatherings with some Israeli colleagues who pal around with some other friends of mine from Egypt and Iran. None of us would ever think we were getting our hands dirty. Your passport declares your nationality, not your character.

[paleotn]

9. Someone doesn't fully understand what international athletic competition is all about.

Maybe he should find a new vocation. He doesn't quite get this one.

[malthaussen]

10. Afraid you would lose, wimp?

Yeah, what a "blow" to the Palestinian cause that would have been.

-- Mal