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Umar Kremlev, the boss of the World Boxing Federation
Photo: Alexander Zemlianichenko / dpa
The World Boxing Association (IBA) is allowing athletes from Russia and Belarus to compete again.
The board of directors of the association decided on Wednesday.
The athletes of these countries are allowed to compete under their national flags.
When they win, their national anthems are played.
The Russian world association president Umar Kremlev had already announced the decision at the association's congress a week and a half ago in Yerevan.
"Both the IOC and the international federations must protect all athletes and there should be no discrimination based on nationality," the Russian had said.
»It is the duty of all of us to keep sport and athletes away from politics.«
The IBA is thus opposing the requirement of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to exclude athletes from Russia and Belarus from international competitions as far as possible after the Russian attack on Ukraine.
Confirmed by a majority at Congress
After the IOC accused the federation of a lack of progress and transparency in governance and finances, and threatened to scrap boxing from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Kremlin seems to be giving up all reluctance.
The Russian sees himself strengthened because he was confirmed as president by 75 percent of the 155 voting national associations at the congress.
An election did not take place.
Kremlev seems ready to organize boxing worldwide if necessary without an Olympic future.
"I work for you, not for a third organization," he called out to the affiliates at Congress, emphasizing, "We shouldn't be saying Olympic boxing, we should be saying IBA boxing."
Since Kremlev has been President, the Russian energy company Gazprom has been helping to pay high prize money at world championships.
The national associations also benefit.
Only recently did the IBA trigger violent international protests when the Ukrainian association was suspended – on the grounds that the government there was interfering in sporting affairs.
However, the Ukrainian boxers are still allowed to take part in competitions – like their competitors from Russia and Belarus.
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