We in NEW ZEALAND agree with the president of the I.J.F

The CAS Annuls the Suspension of the Chinese Judoka Wen Tong - The IJF is in a State of schock but will continue to fight against doping2011.02.25

International Judo Federation

For us, it is a very surprising decision that the CAS made yesterday concerning Tong Wen’s case and it will have a very negative influence on the world of Judo as well as on the world of sport.

Even if the CAS has pointed out a failure of procedure which brought about yesterday’s decision, that failure of procedure was the result of Tong Wen’s confessions when she admitted the positive case and declared that further investigations were not necessary. 

It is important to understand that the consequences of this decision will influence young generations. This is difficult for us to understand. Judo is considered as an ethical, fair play and educative sport. How will it be possible to explain that a well-known athlete who was controlled positive during a World Championship (Rotterdam 2009) will be reintegrated into the circuit as if nothing ever happened, because of a failure of procedure, which, once again, was due to the confessions of the concerned athlete?

As the IJF president, I consider that the result of this decision goes against the spirit of sport and the Olympic Charter, and furthermore, that it will have antisocial ramifications. 

The CAS is in charge of defending the interest of sport, fair play and ethics. Even if there was a failure of procedure, the decision that was taken goes against the spirit of our sport and against sports in general.

I consider that, if necessary, the failure of procedure can be sanctioned, even financially, but it is not possible to make decisions that have such far-reaching consequences. 

The CAS was founded under the hospices of the IOC. It must protect sport, but with such a decision, the fight against doping will be even harder.

As an International Federation we are fighting against the cancer of sport, which is doping. We undertake hundreds of tests per year during all our events. When an athlete like Tong is caught, it is sad news but we must react and immediately stop such behavior, which goes against the spirit of sport. Today we are shocked but we will continue to fight against doping and all kind of non-fair play actions. It is our duty. 

Marius L. Vizer

IJF President

_______________________

Those are Tong Wen's words, in a letter sent to the IJF in October 2009.

"I don't want to defend my self for such case, as I know that I should be responsible for it. However, I am sincerely pleading for light punishment given by IJF and WADA, as I don't want to break my dream either destroy my career for my beloved sport of Judo. I am eager and willing to present beautiful judo competition in London Olympic Games, and make further and bigger contribution to Judo. Once again, may I plead for light punishment, as I am sincerely wishing to make more effort for the judo, through the Judo and by the Judo". 

Tong Wen

Oct. 25, 2009