Algerian Olympian quits over potential Israeli judo opponent
An Algerian Olympian chose to go home Friday rather than potentially face an Israeli opponent.
Fethi Nourine, who competes in judo’s 73 kg. division, withdrew to avoid a possible matchup with Tohar Butbul in the second round, the Associated Press reported.
Nourine and his coach, Amar Benikhlef, both said the decision was made to show support for Palestinians.
“We were unlucky with the draw,” Benikhlef said, according to Sky News. “We got an Israeli opponent and that’s why we had to retire. We made the right decision.”
Nourine would have first had to defeat Sudan’s Mohamed Abdalrasool on Monday before a potential matchup with Butbul in the second round. Butbul received a first-round bye as the No. 5 seed in the weight class.
The International Judo Federation suspended Nourine and Benikhlef for the move.
Nourine also pulled out of the World Judo Championships in 2019 immediately before he was scheduled to face Butbul.
