The International Boxing Association (IBA), which is headed by Russian Umar Kremlev, has lifted the ban on amateur boxers from Belarus and Russia.
Boxers from both countries will now be allowed to compete in events under the national flags and anthems of their home countries.
Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, officials and athletes from both countries were barred from participating in IBA sanctioned tournaments.
In a statement released by the IBA, the organization emphasized the importance of “politically neutral and independent” governance.
“IBA calls for peace and remains a peacemaker in any conflict. Moreover, the IBA has an obligation to ensure equal treatment towards the athletes and competition officials, regardless of their nationality and residence,” the statement said.
“Both Russian and Belarusian teams will be able to perform under their flags, and the national anthems will be played in case they win a gold medal.”
The IBA, which has been at odds with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over governance and other issues, said its board of directors voted in favor of the rule change. This is a clear contrast with the IOC’s views, who recommend a ban of Russian and Belarusian athletes from all international competitions.
“The IBA strongly believes that politics shouldn’t have any influence on sports. Hence, all athletes should be given equal conditions.”
Recently the IOC has taken away the IBA’s ability to hold qualification tournaments in the lead up to Paris 2024, as they had done in Tokyo last summer when the IOC disallowed the IBA participation due to financial, governance and ethical issues such as refereeing.
The IOC has also removed boxing altogether from the preliminary LA28 Olympic Program, after continually expressing “grave concerns” over Kremlev’s leadership and the IBA’s governance.
Conversely, the IBA suspended Ukraine for not holding a new presidential election, an ironic decision as the IOC sites the same concern over the IBA itself.
Ukraine’s election resulted in the IBA not recognizing the Kyrylo Shevchenko election as the new president of the Ukrainian Boxing Federation. Instead, the IBA considers Volodymyr Prodyvus, who fled Ukraine early this year, (and is a friend to Kremlev) as the sitting president.
Kremlev did not mince words over his feelings about the IOC when he told delegates in Armenia last month, “I am working for you, not a side organization. No one else should have influence on the organization.”
Kremlev also spoke of a new path, “Not Olympic boxing, but IBA boxing.”
As Belarus and Russia are now back in the fold as recognized member nations of the IBA, it will remain to be seen how this decision will affect the sport’s forward path towards inclusion in future Olympic Programs.
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