All news

International Boxing Association moves to allow Russian, Belarusian athletes to compete

According to the statement, "both Russian and Belarus teams will be able to perform under their flags, and the national anthems will be played in case they win a gold medal"

MOSCOW, October 5. /TASS/. The International Boxing Association (IBA) Board of Directors has canceled its decision to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions, the board said in a statement.

"The IBA Board of Directors voted in favor to cancel its previous decision and allow boxers of Russia and Belarus to compete at the IBA events with immediate effect," the statement reads.

"The IBA strongly believes that politics shouldn’t have any influence on sports. Hence, all athletes should be given equal conditions. Respecting its own autonomy as the international sports federation, the IBA shall remain politically neutral and independent. IBA calls for peace and remains a peacemaker in any conflicts. Moreover, the IBA has an obligation to ensure equal treatment towards the athletes and competition officials, regardless of their nationality and residence," the Board of Directors added.

According to the statement, "both Russian and Belarus teams will be able to perform under their flags, and the national anthems will be played in case they win a gold medal."

In addition, "the technical officials of Russia and Belarus will also be back in the competitions."

On February 28, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recommended that international sports federations should not allow Russian athletes to take part in competitions due to the situation in Ukraine. On March 4, the IBA barred Russian athletes from participating in international sports tournaments under the association’s auspices.