RIASSUNTO
This article explores the delicate balance between religious faith and sports, highlighting the controversial suspension of Serbian judoka Nemanja Majdov for making the sign of the cross before a match, thereby violating the neutrality rules of the International Judo Federation. It analyzes the importance of religious freedom within sports and the necessity to ensure an inclusive environment that respects the cultural and religious diversity of athletes. The article references precedents such as the adoption of the hijab in women's soccer, emphasizing the complexity of integrating spirituality into the competitive dimension without compromising athletes' individual identities. Finally, it calls for fostering constructive dialogue between different faiths and the sports world to ensure harmonious coexistence.
KEYWORDS
Faith, sports, religious gestures, neutrality, religious freedom, inclusivity, culture, identity, cultural tensions, intercultural dialogue, ritual, cooperation.
