Algerian Judoka Disqualified from Olympics After Weigh-In Failure

Algerian judoka Redouane Messaoud Dris has been disqualified from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after weighing in at 73.4kg, above the limit for his category, thus avoiding a match against Israeli fighter Tohar Butbul. This incident has raised suspicions that Dris intentionally missed the weigh-in to evade competition with Israel, a country Algeria does not officially recognize. The Israeli Olympic Committee condemned this behavior, emphasizing that it contradicts the spirit of sportsmanship. Dris's withdrawal follows a similar incident in the Tokyo 2021 Olympics when another Algerian judoka, Fethi Nourine, was suspended for refusing to compete against Butbul. The Algerian delegation has not yet commented on Dris's disqualification, while media speculation continues regarding the political implications. The International Judo Federation may impose sanctions if Dris's actions are deemed politically motivated.