Valuev criticized the IOC for trying to exclude boxing from the Olympic program
State Duma deputy, former world boxing champion Nikolai Valuev criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC). His words lead RIA News.
Valuev called the organization a commercial company because it is trying to exclude boxing from the Olympic program. In his opinion, the IOC leadership is interested in money, not sport. “Remember how the IOC tried to kick wrestling out of the Olympic program? Now they want to do the same with boxing,” the deputy recalled.
In June 2023, IOC Director General Christophe de Kepper stated that the organization had decided to withdraw recognition of the International Boxing Association (IBA). After this, the IOC announced that it would ban athletes from national federations that are members of the IBA from participating in the 2028 Olympics.
On October 5, 2022, the IBA admitted athletes from Russia and Belarus to international competitions under the auspices of the organization. Boxers will perform under national flags, and if they win, the national anthem will be played.
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