President of the International Boxing Association (IBA) Umar Kremlev on the air of the program “Tous pour le match!” on the channel said that the organization would not let its athletes be offended after the decision of the International Olympic Committee (IOC ) revoke IBA recognition.
The IOC announced on June 22, following a vote, the deprivation of recognition of the International Boxing Association (IBA). In 2019, the IOC temporarily withdrew recognition status from the IBA for economic reasons and due to a management crisis in the organization, and made demands for reforms. In 2023, the IBA allowed Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in international competitions with national symbols, contrary to IOC recommendations.
— Was the IOC’s decision to deprive the IBA of recognition status unexpected for you?
– It was clear, their decision was biased. I have already said that sport must be rid of dirty politicians. We will deal with it, these piglets just appeared in the Olympic family, they must be sent to the corral, let them shit there. They shouldn’t play sports. Our task is to defend the interests of the athletes, we will not allow them to be offended.
— What do you intend to do if IBA membership is not suspended, but terminated?
“You know, it’s not us who lose, it’s them who lose!” First, democracy, openness, honesty and transparency. The Olympics without boxing lose spectators. At the Games, we don’t look at the officials, but at the athletes. The sponsors go there at the expense of the athletes. In boxing, the main thing is the world championships, these boxers are 100 times more popular than the Olympics. In professional boxing, everything is done so that an athlete can represent his country, his people and earn money. This is how all international associations should operate.
– What requirements has the IOC put forward for the return of the IBA?
“We gave them the requirements to be able to come back. What they need to do: there should be solid gold medals at the Olympics, there should be a fee, and then we’ll see how we accept their offer. In any case, we will defend our rights, boxing will be at the Olympics, it already exists. They are afraid of us. They left boxing at the Games, they don’t want to lose money, it’s the most popular sport at the Olympics.
– How do you intend to increase payments to national federations?
– By advertising and the sale of tournaments, by television rights, by companies that manufacture boxing equipment. We have many sponsors. Everything that the International Association earns must belong to the coaches, the boxers and the national federations,” Kremlev said on TV Match’s “Tous pour le match!” program.
At a recent meeting, the IOC Executive Board recommended “in the interest of athletes and sport” to keep boxing on the program of the 2024 Olympics in Paris. The games will take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
Source : MatchTV
I am Ashley Ortiz and I am a professional journalist working for Athletistic. My specialty is in sports journalism, particularly boxing. I have written articles for some of the most renowned publications on the subject, and my work has been featured across both print and digital media platforms.
