Mick Hartley

On the one hand:

An Algerian judoka has withdrawn from the Tokyo Olympics before his event starts, after the draw set him on course for a possible match-up against an Israeli.

Fethi Nourine told Algerian TV that his political support for the Palestinian cause made it impossible for him to compete against Tohar Butbul.

"We worked a lot to reach the Olympics, and the news came as a shock, a thunder," he told the channel late on Thursday. Nourine said his decision was "final," and he would not "get his hands dirty."

On the other hand:

Iranian born judoka Saeid Mollaei has won a silver medal in the Tokyo 2020 judo tournament as a representative for the Mongolian team.

Mollaei was granted refugee status by Germany in 2019 after fleeing Iran for refusing to forfeit his match against Israeli judoka Sagi Muki.

Noting his close friendship with Muki, Israeli channel Sports 5 quoted him as thanking Israel: "Thank you to Israel for all the good energy – this medal is dedicated to you as well and I hope Israelis is happy with this victory, todah.

He received citizenship in Mongolia shortly afterwards, and was chosen to compete under their flag in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.