The International Boxing Association (IBA) has called on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to cancel the selection for the Paris Olympics through the European Games. It has been reported Inside the Games.
The IBA believes the tournament should be removed from Olympic qualifying status due to the European Olympic Committee’s (EOC) decision to ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from participating in the event.
Spyros Capralos, President of the European Olympic Committee (EOC), said it was impossible to allow Russian and Belarusian athletes to participate in the 2-23 European Games. The IBA claims this goes against the IOC Executive Board recommendations announced in March.
At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on March 28, it was recommended that the Russians be allowed to have a neutral status, if the athletes were not actively engaged in supporting hostilities. Athletes representing law enforcement and armed forces will not be allowed to compete.
It was previously reported that UK and USA will leave IBA and form their own boxing federations.