JUA President Mr Obaid Al-Anzi joined members of the international judo family at the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, on 27 August 2026, for a special gathering celebrating judo’s Olympic legacy.
The occasion brought together generations of judo Olympians and international judo officials at Olympic House, where Olympians added their signatures to the Olympians Wall, leaving a permanent mark commemorating their participation in the Olympic Games.
Held ahead of the Ecole Mont-Olivet Lausanne Grand Slam 2026, the gathering was described by the International Judo Federation (IJF) as the largest group of judoka to have been welcomed at Olympic House for such an occasion.
Led by IJF President Mr Marius Vizer, the delegation included former Olympians, Olympic medallists and active athletes, bringing together different generations of the international judo community. Some of the participating athletes are also competing at the Lausanne Grand Slam from 28 to 30 August, as they continue their journey towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
IOC Director General Mr Christophe De Kepper welcomed the judo delegation to Olympic House, while IOC Sports Director Mr Pierre Ducrey highlighted the exceptional scale of the occasion, with an unprecedented number of people signing the Olympians Wall together.
Among the Olympians sharing the significance of the moment were French Olympic champion and three-time world champion Lucie Décosse, Georgian Olympic medallist Varlam Liparteliani, and IJF Education and Coaching Director Mohamed Meridja, who represented Algeria at the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games.
The participation of JUA President Mr Al-Anzi in this special gathering reflected the Judo Union of Asia’s close connection with the international judo and Olympic communities. The occasion also celebrated the contribution of generations of judoka to the Olympic movement and the shared values of judo and Olympism.
As the international judo family looks towards Los Angeles 2028, the gathering in Lausanne provided a meaningful opportunity to honour those who have already written their names into Olympic history while celebrating the athletes who continue to pursue their own Olympic dreams.
Source and Photos: International Judo Federation (IJF)