The Judo Family is not different from any family in the world, regardless of religion or race. We respect and cherish all the members of our family, keeping in mind that every single judoka makes a contribution to the development of judo.

Currently, judo is at a stage where we can look back in time with pride and satisfaction, as we can see a road full of achievements, a road that moves up and forwards: the road of progress. And along the way, there are the people who made the history of judo, all the great champions, and every judoka who have ever stepped on a tatami. They are our veterans.

From now on, the veterans will be more than a mere notion in the minds of people. They are a part of the International Judo Federation and they will be actively involved in our process of development, first of all through the work of the Veteran Commission. Therefore, I would like to wish this Commission a lot of success in the future and I hope that with the competitions and activities that they propose and organize, all veteran judokas will be able to enjoy judo and competing again. Also, I hope that all veteran judokas can feel that they are not forgotten and that they are without any doubt members of the International Judo Family.