The Norwegian Boxing Federation chose to abstain from the 2023 World Boxing Championship in response to the entry of competitors from Russia and Belarus under their own flags.
Officials clarified that the boycott extended beyond athletes to referees and other competition personnel, signaling a broad stance across the federation’s leadership.
In 2023 the Women’s World Cup was staged in March in New Delhi, India, while the men’s event took place in May in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Several major nations announced their own diplomatic and sporting refusals in reaction to the same eligibility concerns.
Countries including the United States, United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, Ireland, Sweden, and Canada had previously stated they would not participate or would withdraw based on the participation of Russian and Belarusian boxers under their national banners.
On the horizon, the International Olympic Committee signaled that it was exploring the possibility of permitting Russian athletes who do not support the conduct described as a special operation in Ukraine to compete under a neutral status at international events.
Formerly, the decision to boycott the 2023 World Cup arose from the participation of boxers from Russia and Belarus, underscoring ongoing debates about national flags and political contexts in sport.