Serbian judoka 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 Paris Olympics, deemed a violation of the IJF's strict protocol against religious expressions during competitions. This suspension follows two prior warnings for similar actions in 2018 and 2022, and it bars Majdov from all judo-related activities, including training camps. Despite the sanction, Majdov, who has won several European and World medals, remains resolute in his faith and refuses to apologize for his gesture, viewing the suspension as a challenge and an opportunity for rest. He expressed disappointment over the situation in judo, emphasizing that faith is paramount in his life. The incident raises questions about how the IJF will address religious expressions by other athletes in the future. Majdov's case comes amidst changing policies in international sports regarding athlete participation based on geopolitical factors.