Statement from GB Boxing on forthcoming IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships 2023

February 14, 2023 | by Matt Halfpenny

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GB Boxing has today issued the following statement with regard to the forthcoming IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships 2023.

GB Boxing statement

Boxers from the GB Boxing squad will not participate in the forthcoming IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi, 15th to 25th March 2023.

The decision reflects on-going concerns about the future of boxing’s place on the Olympic programme and the recent move by IBA to allow boxers from Russia and Belarus to compete under their national flags, which contravenes resolutions passed by the IOC in February and December 2022* (see note below).

This has put further distance between IBA and the Olympic movement in addition to the significant, longstanding issues over sporting integrity, governance, transparency and financial management which the IOC has asked IBA to address to protect boxing’s place on the Olympic programme.

GB Boxing condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine and has solidarity with the people, boxers, coaches and officials of Ukraine.

GB Boxing’s participation at the IBA Men’s World Boxing Championships in May 2023 is under review and the board will make a decision on this closer to the event.

GB Boxing is committed to delivering the best possible preparation for our boxers in the build-up to Paris 2024 and we will continue to work with national federations and tournament organisers to provide training and competition opportunities in advance of the Olympic qualifying events that begin in June 2023 with the European Games in Poland.

 Note

* On 28th February 2022, the IOC Executive Board made a resolution that, to protect the integrity of global sports competitions and for the safety of all the participants, International Sports Federations and sports event organisers should not invite or allow the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions.

On 9th December 2022, the IOC Olympic Summit confirmed that no flag, anthem, colours or any other identifications whatsoever of these countries should be displayed at any sports event or meeting, including the entire venue.