Algerian judoka Fethi Nourine has retreated from the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in order to avoid confronting an Israeli competitor.
The 30-year-old who was fixed to compete in the men’s under 73kg judo competition, declared his decision on Thursday, one day before the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony.
Nourine was set to fight Sudan’s Mohamed Abdalrasool on 26 July in the first round. If he succeeded, he would proceed to a potential clash with Israel’s Tohar Butbul.
Nourine spoke to local Algerian media , stating that his support for the Palestinian cause made it impossible for him to compete against Butbul.
“We have worked hard to qualify for the Games, but the Palestinian cause is bigger than all that.
“My position is consistent on the Palestinian issue, and I reject normalisation, and if it cost me that absence from the Olympic Games, God will compensate,” he said.
The athlete’s coach, Amar Ben Yaklif, told the media, “We were unlucky with the draw. We got an Israeli opponent and that’s why we had to retire. We made the right decision.”
This is not the first time Nourine has withdrawn. In 2019 he pulled out of the Judo World Championships in Tokyo for the same reason.
On its part,The International Judo Federation (IJF) announced that the athlete and his coach, Amar Benikhlef, would face disciplinary action after the judoka withdrew from the Olympics to avoid facing an Israeli competitor.
What's happening in Tunisia?
Subscribe to our Youtube channel for updates.
