The International Boxing Association (IBA) is urging the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to cancel the qualification status for the Paris Olympics at this year’s European Games, as athletes from Russia and Belarus will not be able to participate in them.
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“Following the decision of the European Olympic Committee (EOC) not to allow athletes from Russia and Belarus to participate in the 2023 European Games, which reduces their chances of qualifying for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, the IBA urges to cancel the qualification status of the boxing competition,” said the IBA statement released on Thursday.
“The IOC has recognized the qualification tournament for the European Games, which is in complete contradiction to the IOC’s own position regarding athletes from Russia and Belarus, because these athletes cannot compete in the 2023 European Games and they will be denied the opportunity to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics,” the statement said. “The 2023 European Games can no longer remain an Olympic qualification competition recognized by the IOC and must be canceled in order to neutralize the discriminatory actions taken by the European Olympic Committee against the recommendations made at the last IOC Executive Committee meeting.”
“The IBA reaffirms its commitment to providing fair opportunities for all athletes, regardless of their nationality, and will defend the rights of every athlete,” the boxing body said. “The athletes should be thought of first, but politics should not be in our sport. The IBA shows this with its actions.”
On April 1 of this year, the IOC approved the IBA Olympic qualification system, in which boxers from Russia and Belarus will also be able to participate.
The IBA Men’s World Championship will be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from May 1 to 14.
Several countries, including Latvia, do not send their boxers to the amateur world championships organized by the IBA due to the participation of Russians and Belarusians.
The 2023 European Games will take place in the Polish city of Krakow from June 21 to July 2.
