Boxing-Russia and Belarus boxers should compete, IBA president says

(Reuters) – Russia and Belarus athletes should be able to compete under their flag, said International Boxing Association (IBA) President Umar Kremlev on Friday.

After Russia’s invasion Ukraine on February 24th last year, the IBA lifted a ban for Russian and Belarusian-based boxers in October.

“They should participate. It should not be some kind of privilege that is given depending on the circumstances. Each international association should have these standards,” Kremlev spoke to Reuters

“We, as an international association, must protect each athlete. And we must understand that for athletes the most important thing is when the anthem plays and when their country’s flag is raised”.

“The IOC can give recommendations. Their charter clearly says that it is impossible to punish the athlete, or to infringe on his rights.”

The IBA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against eleven countries for their planned boycott of world championships in protest of the inclusion Russian and Belarusian fighters.

Kremlev’s disciplinary actions target USA Boxing CEO Mike McAtee and President of Boxing Canada Ryan O’Shea.

“We have a clear regulation regarding this. If someone plans to boycott or something like that, they will face a disciplinary committee,” Kremlev was also added.

“No sports official has the right to set the athlete’s (country) borders. If you do that (condemn the war), then you can participate.”

The IOC suggested last year that boxing could be excluded from the Paris 2024 Games. In the midst of IOC-mandated reforms, the IBA was deprived of participation in Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Boxing is not included on the Los Angeles 2028 Games’ initial programme.

“Without us, the IBA would no longer do boxing. And scaring the IBA and the boxing family in general with the threat that boxing could be excluded — if that happened the Olympics should not see it as just losing boxing, but losing the most beautiful sport,” Kremlev stated.

(Reporting by Angelica Medina & Janina Nuo Rios in Mexico City; Editing: Christian Radnedge