International Boxing Association (IBA) President Umar Kremlev has been in a near constant state of conflict with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) since he became president two years ago.
Just last month after the IBA refused to hold new presidential elections, Kremlev told IBA delegates gathered in Armenia, “I work for you, not a side organization. No one should have influence on the organization.” He also spoke of a future of “IBA boxing, not Olympic boxing.”
On Wednesday Kremlev again raised the eyebrows of the IOC when he made a statement urging the IOC to “reconsider their approach to all athletes.”
Last week the IBA Board of Directors voted to allow boxers from Russia and Belarus the opportunity to compete at IBA events. Russian and Belarusian teams would be allowed to compete under their own countries flags, wear the national team uniform and hear the national anthem should they win a gold medal.
The IBA said then, “we strongly believe politics shouldn’t have any influence on sports and all athletes should be given equal conditions.”
Soon after Russia violated the Olympic Truce with their invasion of Ukraine in February, the IOC strongly recommended Russian and Belarusian athletes should not be invited or allowed to compete in international competitions, and no sporting events should be organized in Russia or Belarus. The vast majority of international federations have complied with the IOC Executive Board’s recommendation.
The IBA, lead by the Russian and friend of Vladimir Putin, Kremlev has not.
“The decision to exclude some of them based on their nationality is against the principles of the Olympic Movement. It damages all sports.”
“The IBA urges the IOC to open the window for the athletes to keep performing, and change their policy. It is important for the future of sports. The IOC must rectify the situation immediately. All athletes should be given a green light, as they are not guilty of anything.”
IOC President Thomas Bach, who called the IBA’s decision to not hold elections, “extremely concerning” has not responded to the IBA statement.
The IOC, not the IBA, will oversee the sport at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, just like they did in Tokyo in 2021. Boxing is currently not on the Olympic Program for LA28, and statements like this by the IBA will surely not do them any favors.
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