One of the reasons the United States is skipping the world championships, the women's in New Delhi, India, March 15-31, the men's in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, May 1-14, is because the International Boxing Association (IBA), headed by Russian Umar Kremlev, lets Russians and Belarusians compete as usual.
- It's not fun at all, it's sad, but not surprising that Russia and Belarus get to compete under their usual flags, says Sjöholm.
TT: What do you say about the US position?
- I have full understanding and great respect for that.
I think it is a very wise decision on the part of the United States.
"Great Fear"
- There is another aspect as well.
In a competition some time ago, an Australian female boxer won against a Russian.
The Russians appealed and the verdict was changed to a Russian victory.
What I want to say by that is that there is a great risk - and a great fear - of not being judged correctly by the countries that are not among those who like the Russian style and the Russian leadership.
I think that is also one of the reasons why the USA is not going.
TT: How will Sweden do?
- We have a clear line, since a long time ago, that we go to the competitions we consider important but we meet neither Russians nor Belarusians, then we leave the walk over.
- We have gone so far that our judges are also not allowed to judge Russians or Belarusians.
We do not want our judges to go to competitions and risk judging Russian or Belarusian skaters.
I believe in more boycotts
Sjöholm says that the Swedish Boxing Association has a board meeting at the end of February - then they will make a decision on whether to travel to both the women's and men's WC.
When asked what the decision leans towards, Sjöholm answers:
- Let me say this: I wasn't surprised that the US boycotted, it's a bit of a hint in a way.
I think there will be more countries that will boycott.
TT: Also Sweden?
- We will make a decision about it, but I fully understand the countries that are boycotting the WC.