A judo champion has been left baffled by the decision to suspend him for five months after he made the sign of the cross while taking part in this year’s Olympics.
Serbian athlete Nemanja Majdov, 28, has been banned from competing until early next year by the International Judo Federation (IJF), including for “showing a clear religious sign upon entering the field of play,” in violation of the organization’s rules.
Images of Majdov show the athlete openly making the sign of the cross at the Olympic Games, held this year in Paris, on July 31.
Now, just a few weeks later, he has received a suspension from the IJF.
Posting her thoughts on the decision on Instagram, Majdov said she was “sorry that such a beautiful and difficult sport like judo has fallen into such circumstances.”
Serbian judo star Nemanja Majdov, 28, has been banned until early next year for “showing a clear religious sign upon entering the field of play” at this year’s Olympics.
In the footage, Makhdov can be seen making the sign of the cross while competing at the Olympics.
Posting her thoughts on the decision on Instagram, Majdov said she was “sorry that such a beautiful and difficult sport like judo has fallen into such circumstances.”
However, he did not apologize for crossing himself and plans to return to the sport late next year.
Speaking about his Christian faith, Majdov, who has included several photographs of himself on Instagram clasping his hands in prayer before competing, said: ‘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 circumstances.
‘Glory to Him and thank you for everything.’
Her post read: ’15 days ago I received a decision that the World Judo Federation (IJF) suspended me for 5 months for violating their religious codes.
‘More precisely, for (making the sign of the cross) when entering an Olympic Games match.
‘I was banned from participating in all tournaments, camps and preparations.
‘It is true that in the written defense of the disciplinary case I did not want to apologize… and of course I did not do so, nor will I ever do so, although I did not even know what the sanction could be.’
‘The Lord has given me everything, both personally and in my career, and for me He is number 1 and I am proud of it. And that will not change under any circumstances. Glory to Him and thank you for everything.
“For me personally, it’s nothing new, just a new page in my career and a new life experience. I regret that such a beautiful and difficult sport like judo has fallen into such circumstances.”
She continued: ‘God gave me a great career, 7 European medals and 3 World Championships. When I started, I dreamed of winning at least one major medal and thus succeeding in my life and in the life of my family, who sacrificed everything for my career.
Majdov is unapologetic about crossing himself and plans to return to the sport late next year, he said on Instagram.
Majdov, who is proud to be a Christian, said: “The Lord has given me everything, both for me personally and for my career, and he is No. 1 for me and I am proud of that. And that will not change under any circumstances.”
‘They gave us so much more, and even borrowed too much from us, that I bowed my head to them when it came time to choose between one thing or the other.
‘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.’
Several Serbian athletes have expressed their support for Majdov, including tennis champion Novak Djokovic, Orthodox times information.
The furor is likely to unsettle others who had already expressed concern that the Olympics were “disrespectful” to their faith.
Christians, including Elon Musk, have criticized the opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics for an apparent parody featuring drag queens and a blue man of the Last Supper, a painting by Leonardo da Vinci depicting Jesus’ final meal with his disciples.
Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla and SpaceX, who has been criticized for his conservative beliefs, said the performance was “extremely disrespectful to Christians.”
And he added: “Christianity has become ineffective.”
The French Bishops’ Conference said it “deeply deplored” the parody, while US Catholic Bishop Robert Barron called it a “crude mockery”.
In a statement, the IJF said Majdov had violated a rule on “displaying religious signs” as well as other policies.
The organisation said it had refused “to bow to its opponent at the end of the contest”. and for ‘taking off the judogi on the playing field’.
The IJF said Majdov (right) had been suspended for violating several of its policies, including making the sign of the cross while competing.
He added that Majdov had previously been warned about making the sign of the cross during separate incidents in April 2018 and February 2022 and was told he would face “a disciplinary session” after any repeated violations.
The IJF statement said: ‘It should be noted that the athlete did not contest either warning, therefore his claims of not being aware of the rule prohibiting the display of any religious, political, ethnic or other signs on the judo field of play are not accurate.’
He went on to state that the rules regarding making the sign of the cross apply only when an athlete is competing and not “off the field of play.”
The statement said: ‘The IJF respects and appreciates equally all cultures, nationalities, religions and orientations of all its members, including but not limited to athletes.
The catwalk that was turned into the stage for the Olympic opening ceremony was criticised by some Christians for allegedly parodying the Last Supper.
‘As an international umbrella organisation, it is our duty to ensure that all our stakeholders, and especially athletes, feel respected and accepted at all our events and activities.
‘Our rules regarding the display of religious or other signs are strictly related to the playing field, which is a space dedicated exclusively to judo and where only the signs and rules specific to judo are displayed, equally for everyone.
‘The IJF does not prohibit the practice of religions or religious symbols outside the field of play, as we continue to respect the individual freedom of each member of our community.’