Judo-Russians approved for world championships, Ukraine pulls out in protest

FILE PHOTO: Judo - World Judo Championships - Mixed Teams - Bronze Medal Contest - Nippon Budokan, Tokyo, Japan - September 1, 2019 Russia pose as they celebrate winning their mixed teams bronze medal contest. REUTERS/Issei Kato

BERLIN (Reuters) - Russian and Belarusian judokas can take part as neutrals at this month's world championships in Doha, the International Judo Federation (IJF) said, prompting Ukraine to pull out of the May 7-14 event in protest.

Ukraine has barred its national sports teams from competing in events that include competitors from Russia and Belarus while Russia's invasion of Ukraine continues.