International Judo Federation Investigates Weight Miss by Algerian Athlete Amid Political Tensions

PARIS (AP) — The International Judo Federation (IJF) has announced an investigation following the incident where Algerian judoka Messaoud Dris missed weight just a day before his scheduled match against Israeli athlete Tohar Butbul at the Paris Games. The IJF acknowledged that weight misses are not uncommon in judo, recalling that four athletes failed to make weight during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Butbul and his coach, Guy Fogel, expressed concerns that Dris may have been pressured to withdraw from the match due to Algeria's strained relations with Israel. Fogel remarked on the broader implications for Muslim athletes, suggesting that political tensions often prevent them from competing against Israeli opponents. He expressed disappointment over the missed opportunity to compete against Dris, hoping for a future matchup at the next Olympics. This incident echoes previous occurrences, notably when Algerian judoka Fethi Nourine withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics to avoid facing Butbul, citing his support for Palestine. Nourine had also pulled out of the 2019 World Championships for similar reasons, highlighting a pattern of political influence affecting athletic competition. Despite ongoing protests against Israel's participation in the Paris Games, the International Olympic Committee and the French government have reaffirmed Israel's right to compete. With a strong delegation of 12 athletes, Israel's judo team has been actively participating in the tournament, underscoring the complex interplay between sports and international relations.