Serbian judoka Nemanja Majdov suspended for five months for making the sign of the cross at the Paris Olympics

Serbian judo world champion Nemanja Majdov has vowed not to apologise after being handed a five-month ban for making the sign of the cross before competing at the Paris Olympics.

Majdov was charged with violating the International Judo Federation's religious code by “showing a clear religious sign upon entering the field of play” and was banned from participating in “all tournaments, camps and preparations.”

Footage captured Makhdov touching his forehead, stomach and then both shoulders as part of the Christian gesture before his fight against Greece's Theodoros Tselidis on July 31.

“15 days ago I received a decision that the World Judo Federation (IJF) suspended me for 5 months for violating their religious codes,” Majdov said on Instagram. “More precisely, for (making the sign of the cross) when entering a match at the Olympic Games.

Majdov was also punished for “refusing to bow” to Tselidis after losing their round of 16 elimination match, the IJF said on Wednesday. He will be able to compete again in early 2025.

The IJF prohibits athletes from displaying religious signs near the field of play and has “zero tolerance for any form of discrimination or provocation that may affect the performance of our athletes.”

“With 205 national member federations, each representing a different country or recognized territory (associate members), it is the duty of the IJF to ensure that the playing field is reserved for judo and governed exclusively by the rules of our sport,” the organization said in a statement.

The IJF said Majdov was warned in April 2018 and February 2022 for “violating the IJF code of ethics” but he refused to apologize for honoring his faith and chose not to contest the warnings.

“It is true that I did not want to apologize in the letter of defense of the disciplinary procedure… and of course I did not do so, and I will never do so, even though I did not even know what the punishment could be,” said Majdov.

“The Lord has given me everything, both personally and professionally, and for me He is number 1 and I am proud of it. And that will not change under any circumstances. Glory to Him and thank you for everything.”

When he learned that he had been banned from competing, Majdov was the third judoka in the world in the up to 90kg category. He won a gold medal at the 2023 European Judo Championships and took silver at this year's tournament.

“It's nothing new for me personally, just a new page in my career and a new life experience. I regret that such a beautiful and difficult sport like judo has fallen into such circumstances,” said Majdov.

“God gave me a great career, 7 European medals and 3 World Championships. When I started, I dreamed of winning at least one major medal and thus succeeding in my life and in that of my family, who have sacrificed everything for my career. He gave us much more, and even borrowed too much from us so that I would bow my head before them when it came to one or the other.”

Makhdov's show of faith came a day after the Paris Olympics faced intense backlash over its opening ceremony, which included a drag-queen stage show version of The Last Supper.

The segment featured 17 performers, including three well-known “Drag Race France” competitors, behind a long table, similar to Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting of Jesus Christ and his disciples sharing a final meal.

In July, an Olympic spokesperson told The Post that creative director Thomas Jolly “was inspired” by the Renaissance artist before retracting the startling admission.

Organizers said the segment featured a “grand anthem party featuring the Olympian gods.”

“It is clear that we never intended to disrespect any religious group. On the contrary, I think that with Thomas Jolly we really tried to celebrate community tolerance,” said spokeswoman Anne Descamps during a press conference.

“If we look at the results of the surveys we have shared, we believe that this ambition has been achieved. If people have felt offended, we are of course very sorry.”