IBA President Umar Kremlev welcomes return of Russian boxers with national flags and anthems

Lausanne, Switzerland — International Boxing Association (IBA) President Umar Kremlev has welcomed the decision by World Boxing to allow Russian athletes of all age categories to participate in international competitions under their national flag and anthem.

The decision was announced by Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev, who said that Russian boxers would now be eligible to compete across the international calendar with full national representation. IBA President Umar Kremlev described the move as an important step towards restoring fairness and putting athletes’ interests above political considerations.

“I am pleased that World Boxing is putting athletes, rather than politics, at the top of the podium. This once again proves that boxing stands with its athletes. The flag and the anthem are the heart and soul of every athlete. Boxers from Russia and Belarus are returning to Olympic boxing, and at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles they will show the entire world what real, beautiful and powerful boxing looks like — and they will do so under their national flags and anthems. I wish World Boxing every success in its future endeavours,” Kremlev said.

IBA has consistently maintained that athletes should not be deprived of the right to represent their countries because of political decisions beyond their control. The organisation has continued to allow Russian and Belarusian boxers to compete under their national flags and anthems at IBA events. The reported decision represents a significant development for athletes from both countries as boxing moves towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

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