Amar Benikhlef (born 11 January 1982) is an Algerian

judo is an unarmed gendai budō, modern Japanese martial art, Olympic sport (since 1964), and the most prominent form of jacket wrestling competed internationally.『日本大百科全書』電子版【柔道】(CD-ROM version of Encyclopedia Nipponi ...

ka who competed in the middleweight division. He won the silver medal at the

2008 Summer Olympics The 2008 Summer Olympics (), officially the Games of the XXIX Olympiad () and also known as Beijing 2008 (), were an international multisport event held from 8 to 24 August 2008, in Beijing, China. A total of 10,942 athletes from 204 Na ...

in Beijing. In September 2021, Benikhlef was suspended for 10 years, until July 2031.

Biography

After a judoka he coached, Fethi Nourine, was selected to compete at the 2020 Summer Games in the -73 kg weight class, Nourine and Benikhlef each announced Nourine's withdrawal following the conclusion of the draw of competitors. They said the withdrawal was because they were supporting the Palestinian cause by not competing against

Israel Israel (; he, יִשְׂרָאֵל, ; ar, إِسْرَائِيل, ), officially the State of Israel ( he, מְדִינַת יִשְׂרָאֵל, label=none, translit=Medīnat Yīsrāʾēl; ), is a country in Western Asia. It is situated ...

Tohar Butbul Tohar Butbul ( he, טוהר בוטבול; born 24 January 1994) is an Israeli judoka. He competes in the under 73 kg weight category, where he won silver medals at the 2019 Judo World Masters and the 2021 European Championships, and won ...

, a much more accomplished judoka than Nourine and the # 5 seed in the tournament, whom Nourine was drawn to potentially face in the second round, had he won in the first round. The IJF announced his and Nourine's immediate suspensions on 24 July 2021, pending a further investigation, and sent the two of them back home to Algeria from Tokyo. The Federation explained:

"According to the IJF rules, in line with the
Olympic Charter The Olympic Charter is a set of rules and guidelines for the organisation of the Olympic Games, and for governing the Olympic movement. Its last revision was on the 17th of July 2020 during the 136th IOC Session, held by video conference. Adop ...
and especially with rule 50.2 that provides for the protection of the neutrality of sport at the
Olympic Games The modern Olympic Games or Olympics (french: link=no, Jeux olympiques) are the leading international sporting events featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a var ...
and the neutrality of the Games themselves, which states that 'no kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas,' Fethi Nourine and Amar Benikhlef are now suspended and will face a decision by the IJF Disciplinary Commission, as well as disciplinary sanctions by the National Olympic Committee of Algeria back in their country.'"

It continued: "Judo sport is based on a strong moral code, including respect and friendship, to foster solidarity and we will not tolerate any discrimination, as it goes against the core values and principles of our sport." The Federation Disciplinary Commission will handle final sanctioning beyond the Olympics. In September 2021, Benikhlef was suspended for 10 years, until July 2031.

Achievements

References

External links

* * 1982 births Living people Algerian male judoka Judoka at the 2004 Summer Olympics Judoka at the 2008 Summer Olympics Olympic judoka for Algeria Olympic silver medalists for Algeria Olympic medalists in judo Sportspeople from Algiers Medalists at the 2008 Summer Olympics Mediterranean Games bronze medalists for Algeria Competitors at the 2009 Mediterranean Games African Games silver medalists for Algeria African Games medalists in judo Mediterranean Games medalists in judo Competitors at the 2007 All-Africa Games 21st-century Algerian people {{Algeria-Olympic-medalist-stub