Dear Judokas,

Dear Judo Family Members,

We find ourselves in a strange and sad period. Due to the large scale of the Covid-19 outbreak, we are now facing a period of uncertainty and an unprecedented challenge.

I would like to send out a strong message of support to all those affected by this situation, it is important to stay healthy and united. My thoughts are with those from the worst-hit countries, where the virus claimed many lives and the entire society lives in isolation.

As you know, the International Judo Federation has cancelled all events until April 30, in an attempt to protect the interests of all stakeholders, keep the judo community safe and ensure fair treatment to all athletes engaged in the Olympic qualification. We continue to work hard in order to find the best solutions and we hope that we can continue our activities as planned once the critical period is over.

In such challenging times, we need to be resilient and protect each other, and I encourage all of you to apply all the principles of our sport, setting an example for those around you.

I wish all of you, as well as the people of the world, good health and a strong spirit!