Due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been suspended as honorary president of the International Judo Federation (IJF), the sport's regulatory body stated on Sunday.
Moscow has ordered its soldiers to move in Ukraine "from all directions" as the crisis enters its fourth day, while the West replied late Saturday with sanctions aimed at crippling Russia's banking sector.
Since Russia entered Ukraine early Thursday, 198 civilians, including three children, have been murdered, according to Ukrainian officials.
"In view of the current crisis... in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation announces the suspension of Mr. Vladimir Putin's role as Honorary President and Ambassador of the International Judo Federation," according to a statement from the IJF.
Putin, a judoka who was given an eighth dan in 2014, is an outstanding judoka. Since 2008, he has served as honorary president of one of the sport's top levels.
In 2014, IJF president Marius Vizer praised him as "the ideal spokesperson for our sport."
Putin has made judo and ice hockey a big part of his fitness regimen.
Putin's suspension follows a slew of sporting sanctions against Russia.
UEFA has stripped Saint Petersburg of the right to host the Champions League final on May 28 — Europe's most important club championship — and Formula One has canceled the Russian Grand Prix slated for September 25.
Both Poland and Sweden have announced that they will not face Russia in the 2022 World Cup play-offs, in hopes of persuading their 27 European Union allies to follow suit a blanket prohibition on sports.
This includes prohibiting Russian athletes from competing on European Union land.
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