Black-belt Putin may go to Olympics for judo

Russian leader President Vladimir Putin. AP FILE PHOTO

LOS Cabos – Judo black belt and Russian leader President Vladimir Putin hopes to go to the London Olympics to watch his favorite sport, a spokesman said on Monday.

In a meeting with British Prime Minister David Cameron, whose capital will host the Olympics in July and August, Putin said that he had tentative plans to attend the judo matches at the games.

“Putin wished Cameron luck in hosting the Olympic Games and said that he is thinking of going to London on one of the Olympic days to watch judo tournaments,” said spokesman Dmitry Peskov.

“He will make a firm decision on this later.”

An avid sportsman, 59-year-old Putin has practiced judo since his high school days, and has frequently been photographed and filmed sparring with top-class athletes.

He has not been to Britain since a state visit in 2003, during his first turn as Russia’s president, and relations between Russia and Britain have often been strained strained in recent years.

Putin and Cameron were speaking on the sidelines of the summit of the heads of G20 powers in Los Cabos, Mexico, where the main issue was the eurozone crisis.

The Games get underway in London on July 27 and end August 12.