The performance of Russian athletes at international competitions after the restrictions introduced by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and federations is gradually becoming commonplace. Judokas, sambo wrestlers, wrestlers, gymnasts, swimmers and representatives of other, mainly summer sports have already delighted fans with victories at big tournaments. But victories under the flag in the last few years have been very rare. Although there are exceptions.

The International Boxing Association (IBA) restored the rights of Russians and Belarusians in the fall of 2022. Our boxers managed to win medals at the World and European Championships, performing with the tricolor.

Sharabutdin Ataev / Photo: © RIA Novosti / Alexey Filippov

In professional boxing, the situation developed somewhat differently, although three of the four leading organizations, after temporarily following the Russophobic agenda, returned the Russians to the ratings. But there were some oddities. For example, in the light heavyweight ranking of the World Boxing Organization (WBA), Dmitry Bivol is listed as a Russian, and his former opponent in the fight for the title of absolute world champion, Artur Beterbiev, is a Canadian. In the ranking of the International Boxing Organization (IBF), Beterbiev was already a Russian, and Bivol was a representative of Kyrgyzstan.

Only in the World Boxing Organization (WBO) rankings are both of our strongest light heavyweights listed as Russians. However, in the confrontations between Bivol and Beterbiev in Saudi Arabia with the tricolor, neither one nor the other managed to enter the ring.

Under the flag again

In general, even after returning to the WBA, IBF and WBO rankings, entering the ring with a flag did not become something for granted for Russians. There were no problems with this at the tournaments that took place in our country. Naturally, no one asked Russians to refrain from displaying the national flag or covering it on their uniforms, as happened abroad.

In a number of countries, everything was also in order: the former world champion in the first heavyweight division according to WBA and IBF Murat Gassiev, who had previously been forced to compete under the flag of Armenia, again competed under the flag of Russia at the IBA tournament in Yerevan. Muslim Gadzhimagomedov appeared in front of the public in a uniform with a tricolor in a rating match at a tournament in the UAE. But for something like this to happen in one of the European countries…

Murat Gassiev / Photo: © RIA Novosti / Evgeny Odinokov

“Without humiliating restrictions”

But on December 20, Italian fans will see not neutral athletes, but representatives of Russia. At the Torino Boxing Show tournament, the list of organizers of which includes the IBA, Pavel Fedorov and Vladimir Mironchikov will compete under the Russian flag. This was announced by IBA President Umar Kremlev.

“Russian boxing is once again entering the world stage as it should be – openly, with a flag, with respect, without humiliating restrictions. Our guys will fight in Italy, in the very heart of Europe. And this is a signal to the whole world: boxing is above politics. We have proven that no bans will stop those who fight for justice. In Turin, the strongest Russian athletes will enter the ring, and they will represent their country honestly and proudly, the Kremlev noted in an interview with Match TV.

Finally, in a European country, Russian athletes will again be able to raise the country’s flag above their heads! I would like to believe that this will not be limited to a single tournament, and soon our athletes will give fans victories under the tricolor on an ongoing basis.