World judo champion Nemanja Majdov has been suspended for five months by the International Judo Federation (IJF) for making the sign of the cross before his match at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Majdov, a devout Christian from Serbia, was found in violation of the IJF’s Code of Ethics, which prohibits religious gestures on the field of play. The punishment is an obvious attack on the most persecuted religion in the world.

Majdov, who regularly shares his Christian faith on social media, refused to apologize for his actions. In a post on Instagram, he explained that his faith takes precedence over any rules set by the IJF. “The Lord has given me everything, both for me personally and for my career,” Majdov wrote, making it clear that he would not apologize for expressing his beliefs, despite the consequences.

The IJF defended its decision, stating that the suspension was necessary to maintain the ethical standards of the sport. According to the federation, the rules are in place to ensure that judo remains neutral, without any religious or political displays. However, the IJF emphasized that it respects all faiths and cultures and aims to provide an inclusive environment for all athletes.

This is not the first time Majdov has faced discipline for his religious expressions. He received warnings from the IJF in 2018 and 2022 for similar behavior, but the 28-year-old judo champion has stood firm in his beliefs. His latest suspension will prevent him from competing in all judo events for five months, including international tournaments and training camps.

Despite the setback, Majdov has had a successful career. He won the World Championship in 2017, became European champion in 2023, and earned five gold medals in international competitions. Majdov remains hopeful about the future, expressing confidence that he will return to the sport stronger, with his faith guiding him through the challenges ahead.