The 2024 Paris Olympics gave us several tantalizing moments across every sport. However, Judo happened to be an incredibly popular topic in the French capital. In fact, it was one of the most talked-about events at the Games due to the numerous controversies. But Ebony Drysdale-Daley got caught up in the eye of the storm. 

Four months ago, the Jamaican-British judoka accused the Jamaican Judo Association (JJA), stating that they were blocking her from qualifying for the Paris Olympic Games. For those not in the know, the 29-year-old etched her name in history by becoming the first judoka to represent the nation during the Summer Games three years ago in Tokyo. She contested in the 70 kg and placed 17th at the Japanese capital. The judoka is also a 2022 Commonwealth Games silver medalist after losing a bout to Aoife Coughlan in the finals in Birmingham.

As a result, Ebony Drysdale-Daley faced a one-year ban by the Jamaica Judo Association, forcing her to miss out on the Lima Pan American Open, the final qualifying event for the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, J’can Sports’ Kayon Raynor reported that the ban had now been overturned by the Appeals Committee Association. However, the judoka isn’t done yet. “At this stage, I am considering all legal options, including suing the Jamaica Judo Association,” she confessed.

The 29-year-old first spoke about it in a nearly four-minute video. The Judoka shone a light on the transparency of the association. This, in turn, had taken an emotional toll on her. However, all of these weren’t just claims. She added that she had emails and other evidence to back her claims up. Unfortunately, all she received in return was silence. Leading up to the Paris Olympics, all she wanted to do was qualify. But this ordeal left her feeling unsupported and isolated.

Why was Ebony Drysdale-Daley’s ban overturned?

A two-man Appeals Committee was set to investigate the situation at hand on October 14. Upon investigation, it was established that the JJA did not follow the right procedures while instigating the one-year ban from June 13, 2024, to June 12, 2025. They cited Article 17 of the Association’s Code of Ethics and Bye-Laws for the ban in their written decision. One of the key arguments presented by the JJA stated, “The President may impose such sanctions as he/she sees fit considers fit taking into court to account the facts of each individual case, including, without limitation. Requiring any face-to-face contact to take place in the presence of an appropriate JJA witness.” 

This was the reasoning they used to justify the disciplinary hearing without Ebony Drysdale-Daley. They stated that it was in the best interest of the Federation. However, now that the ban has been overturned, the judoka is in a better place. “I feel really relieved that I can come back to the sport I love. It’s been so depressing not being able to be a part of something that’s been a part of most of my life. I feel hugely disappointed, the way I felt abandoned, it’s been very hurtful and I am now considering suing,” she confessed.

Dr. Emir Crowne was horrified by the JJA’s actions, criticizing the ban without letting the judoka defend herself. “It is absolutely shocking what the Jamaica Judo Federation has done to Ms. Drysdale-Daley, a promising, Olympian,” he exclaimed. She was ranked No. 1 leading up to the Paris Olympics. But the ban put a screeching halt to her chase for Olympic glory. Speaking about the overturned ban, the Appeals Committee exclaimed, “At the end of the day, the Appeals Committee ‘saw through’ the glaring transparency breaches committed by the Jamaica Judo Federation and ordered that her membership be reinstated with immediate effect. 

They added, “To say that this is one of the most egregious cases I’ve seen in my career would be an understatement. It is but another example of a federation acting with absolute impunity. ‘Wrong and strong’ till the end.” While Drysdale-Daley will now return to competitive Judo. But with the possibility of suing the JJA for damages due to the suspension. Even though the gloomy days have passed, she is not done with the JJA ordeal.