Screengrab, Oli London on X
CV NEWS FEED // The International Judo Federation (IJF) recently notified one of its athletes that he has been suspended from competing for the next five months due to the fact that he visibly made the Sign of the Cross on multiple occasions at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Serbian judo world champion Nemanja Majdov, an Orthodox Christian, was told by the sport’s governing body that “he has been banned from competing until early next year,” the Daily Mail reported Thursday.
The IJF decided to suspend Majdov partly because he had “shown a clear religious sign when entering the field of play” while competing at the Olympics on July 31, the Mail noted.
The IJF deemed the athlete’s gesture of devotion a “violation of competition protocol regarding the display of religious beliefs,” the Orthodox Times reported this week:
Majdov had previously received a warning from the [IJF] for making the sign of the cross before the Olympic Games at international tournaments he participated in.
Nevertheless, Majdov made it clear that he would not change his stance regardless of the consequences.
The martial artist “plans to return to competition after the five-month suspension, according to his letter to the International Federation and his social media posts,” the Orthodox Times added.
Majdov wrote in a Sunday Instagram post in his native Serbo-Croatian: “15 days ago I received a decision that I was suspended for 5 months by the [IJF] for violating their religious codes.”
“I was banned from participating in all tournaments, camps and preparations,” he specified.
The athlete then emphasized that he stands by his act of making the Sign of the Cross, writing that he “did not want to apologize … nor will I ever.”
“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,” Majdov stated. “And that will not change under any circumstances. Glory to Him and thanks for everything.”
Majdov’s post featured a picture of him with his hands folded in prayer and wearing a judogi. The photograph was likely taken during a competition, as an audience is visible in the background.
Orthodox Times noted: “Several Serbian athletes have rushed to express their support, including the renowned Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic.”
Over 80% of the population of Serbia is Orthodox Christian.
Critics widely panned the opening ceremony of this year’s Olympics, which featured a “drag” show that appeared to mock the Last Supper.
CatholicVote reported on July 26:
The Paris 2024 Olympics Opening Ceremony this week featured a display of a group of people wearing “drag” costumes appearing to mock the Last Supper, sparking outcry from Catholics and non-Catholic Christians on social media.
Footage from the opening event shows a woman wearing a large crown headpiece standing by the center of a long table, and on both sides of her are people wearing drag costumes. Especially alarming is that a child is present at the table
