Judo-IJF to investigate, Israel calls for penalty after Algerian fails weigh-in

PARIS :Judo's governing body is to investigate why Algeria's Messaoud Redouane Dris failed the weigh-in for his under 73 kg bout with Israel's Tohar Butbul at the Paris Olympics, saying athletes can become "victims of broader political disputes".

The International Judo Federation said Dris arrived for the weight control session on Sunday 10 minutes before the deadline and was found to be 400 grams over the allowed weight limit to compete on Monday.

The head of Israel's Olympic Committee Yael Arad branded it a "disgrace" and called for the North African delegation to be punished. Algerian media and the delegation sponsor hailed Dris.

"Following the Olympic Games, a full review and investigation of the situation will be conducted and further action will be taken if needed," the IJF said in the statement on Monday.

"We believe that sport should remain a realm of integrity and fairness, free from the influences of international conflicts. Unfortunately, athletes often become victims of broader political disputes which are against the values of sport," it said.

The Paris 2024 Summer Games are taking place amid pronounced security concerns and heightened geopolitical tensions, including over Israel's war in Gaza following the Oct. 7 attacks led by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

The Algerian Olympic delegation declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

However, Algerian newspaper al Nahar hailed the judoka for "smartly avoiding meeting Israeli opponent by failing to make the weight".

Algerian athletes' sponsor telecom giants Mobilis said on Facebook: “Dris won everyone's respect. Honour and the (Palestinian) cause come first before anything else."

Arad, a former judoka and the first Israeli to win an Olympics medal, told Reuters: