Good news came on Wednesday, October 5, from the International Boxing Association (IBA).

The Board of Directors of the organization voted to lift sanctions against athletes from Russia and Belarus.

It is equally important that the boxers, who have been suspended from all tournaments on the world stage since March, will return to the ring under their own flags, and if they win the competition, national anthems will be played in their honor.

In an official statement, the IBA specifically emphasizes that politics should not have any impact on the sport, and all athletes should be given equal conditions.

“While respecting its own autonomy as an international sports federation, the IBA must remain politically neutral and independent.

The IBA calls for peace and remains a peacemaker in any conflict.

Moreover, the IBA has an obligation to ensure that athletes and competition officials are treated equally, regardless of their nationality and place of residence,” the organization said.

This step can be called unprecedented, since this is the first time since the beginning of the NWO, when previously imposed restrictions are lifted from Russians and Belarusians.

Undoubtedly, Umar Kremlev, who has headed the IBA since December 2020 and recently won new elections, played a huge role in this process.

Commenting on the decision taken by the Board of Directors, he stressed that by granting equal rights to absolutely all boxers, regardless of nationality, the organization put sport above politics.

“We, the boxing family, demonstrate that we are independent, we protect athletes.

We must give them all equal conditions, because it is important for them when the anthem is played and their flag is raised, and not the medals that they hang.

This is secondary, ”Kremlev said.

He also called on other international federations to follow the example of the IBA, because such a decision is the only correct one.

“Our task as sports functionaries is to protect our beloved athletes and be peacemakers in everything, to call everyone to peace.

This is what sport was created for, to bring good to the world.

So I urge everyone to join us, ”Kremlev said.

In Russia, the lifting of previously imposed sanctions was received with enthusiasm.

To a certain extent, this was a signal that changes are coming in relation to domestic athletes.

Thus, the President of the Russian Olympic Committee, Stanislav Pozdnyakov, welcomed the decision and recalled that quite a lot has been said about changing the rhetoric at the level of the IOC and sports federations.

“Now we see the first practical steps.

Now it is important to wait for the implementation of today's decision, as it will happen already in a purely sports plane, ”wrote the four-time Olympic champion in his Telegram channel.

  • President of the International Boxing Association (IBA) Umar Kremlev

  • RIA News

  • © Evgeny Odinokov

The Minister of Sports of the Russian Federation Oleg Matytsin called the admission of domestic athletes to international competitions an important victory and stressed that the position of the IBA complies with all norms of sports law.

“Sport should be out of politics, and athletes, no matter what country they are from, should remain on an equal footing and participate in competitions.

I hope that many international federations will follow the example of the IBA and demonstrate their commitment to sports values ​​by allowing Russians to compete under their auspices,” the head of the department said.

The return of domestic boxers was also positively assessed in the State Duma.

So, the head of the State Duma Committee on Physical Culture and Sports, Dmitry Svishchev, emphasized that athletes should not suffer because of the international situation, changes in the mood of certain leaders or organizations.

He also expressed hope that other sports associations will follow the example of the International Boxing Association.

However, his colleague Nikolai Valuev was not so optimistic, although he said that one can only applaud the IBA, which made such a fateful decision.

However, in his opinion, it will not affect other sports in any way.

“Today, the hegemon is spinning world sports for the sake of his politics.

While he is at the helm, like boxing will be rare, ”Sport24 quotes Valuev.

The head of the Russian Artistic Gymnastics Federation Vasily Titov also expressed restrained joy.

He is confident that other international associations will not risk doing the same without the approval of the IOC.

“I would not call this decision systemic now.

It is individual, albeit positive and joyful, ”Titov told RIA Novosti.

In turn, the former absolute world champion Kostya Tszyu expressed confidence that the event under discussion would be the first step towards the gradual return of Russian athletes to the world arena in all sports.

"I call it 'setting a precedent.'

Justice has prevailed!

This is a great merit of Umar Kremlev, ”said the legendary boxer.

Two-time Olympic champion Alexei Tishchenko emphasized the importance of the fact that the leadership of the international association was able to find a compromise with those members of the organization who were against the lifting of sanctions.

“It's great that our athletes will have the opportunity to take part in international competitions.

This is a huge plus for any athlete, coach, as well as an incentive and prospects for each athlete, ”Championship quotes Tishchenko.

The former WBC world champion Grigory Drozd was delighted with the upcoming changes.

He noted that even the opponents of the Russians understand that life goes on.

“It is impossible to close yourself in a stone cave.

Politics is politics, and athletes have nothing to do with it.

Boxing fans and the martial arts industry have nothing to do with it.

I think this is the right decision, which will be appreciated and supported,” Drozd emphasized.