1977 Judo World Championships

The World Judo Championships had to be held in Barcelona, Spain, from September 19 to September 24, 1977.

Problem named Taiwan (Cancelattion)

When Spain were granted 1977 WCH they had to agree to this. However at last 1976 WJCH in Madrid the IJF had to modify their code when the teams had arrived so that the event could continue. They had to comply with insistence of the Spanish Goverment that the Taiwan anthem and flag should not be prominent. Because the teams had already arrived in Madrid and because this broke no regulation of the IJF and only modified their code they agreed. Consequently no anthems or flags of any country were displayed.

But as a result of this situation IJF understandably required assurances that these compromise conditions would again be acceptable to the Spanish Goverment. However Spanish Goverment further altered these conditions when in the last few weeks before 1977 WCH were going to be staged they demanded that the Taiwan team could not wear their badges nor have the name of their country (Republic of China) displayed. Furthermore when Taiwan applied for visas at the Spanish consulate in Hong Kong they were refused.

Taiwan are members of the IJF. Their members have often been prominent in major events and Charles Palmer (President of the IJF that time) ranks them as second strongest country in Asia. Communist China are not affiliated and have never sought to join the Federation. Palmer believes that Spain had signed a trade agreement with Communism China, one condition of which is that Taiwan should be regarded as a province of China and not as country in its own right.

Palmer after receiving supporting votes from eight of the ten memebers of his directing committee who answeared his cables, cancelled the championships which would have attracted about 50 countries.

This issue of course goes far beyond judo. Last year before the Montreal Olympics similar demands were made by Canadian Goverment. Since the teams had already arrived in Montreal the IOC had to bow to the demands of the Canadians and renounce a basic principle of the Olympics: That the athletes of any country recognised by the IOC may assemble in the Olympic city without hindrance. Palmer at the time pointed out that the IOC's decision set a dangerous precedent for international sport.

Article by John Goodbody - Judo Magazine OCT1977