This Wednesday, the International Boxing Association (IBA) announced that its board of directors decided to end the measure that prohibited boxers from Russia and Belarus from competing in events organized by the sports entity.
According to the document, the return to the competitions of Russian and Belarusian technical officials is also contemplated. In addition, it was reiterated that the teams of both countries “will be able to act under their flags” and if they win a gold medal, their national anthems will be played.
“The IBA firmly believes that politics should not have any influence in sports,” the organization said, stressing that “all athletes must have the same conditions.”
“The IBA has an obligation to ensure equal treatment of athletes and competition officials, regardless of their nationality and residence,” he said.
IOC president accused of blackmailing Russian athletes
Thomas Bach, President of the IOC. Photo: File.
The former president of the Russian Olympic Committee, Alexander Zhukov, accused the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, of blackmailing Russian athletes.
In an interview with Corriere della Sera newspaper last week, Bach said athletes from Russia could compete under neutral status if they “distance themselves” from Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine.
“Once again, sports and politics are mixed. This is a kind of blackmail to which in no case should one succumb,” said Zhúkov, quoted by RIA Novosti, describing Bach’s statements as “provocative”.
“I hope none of our athletes take that step. At least everyone I asked said unequivocally that they would not,” he added.
(With information from RT in Spanish)