World Boxing allows Russian, Belarusian boxers to compete as neutrals

play Live Sign upShow navigation menu.css-15ru6p1{font-size:inherit;font-weight:normal;}Navigation menuNewsShow more news sectionsAfricaAsiaUS & CanadaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia PacificMiddle EastExplainedOpinionSportVideoMoreShow more sectionsFeaturesEconomyHuman RightsClimate CrisisInvestigationsInteractivesIn PicturesScience & TechnologyPodcastsTravelplay Live Click here to searchsearchSign upNavigation menucaret-leftRussia-Ukraine warWhat are Russia’s gains from the Iran war?‘We are not losers; we are winners’Four years later: War in UkraineHow Putin stays strong in Russiacaret-rightSport|BoxingWorld Boxing allows Russian, Belarusian boxers to compete as neutralsAthletes from ​both countries will compete without national flags, anthems, logos ‌or uniforms in World Boxing events. xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoThe decision will apply across all age-group competitions ⁠organised by World ​Boxing, European Boxing and international events [File: Navesh Chitrakar/Reuters]By ReutersPublished On 29 Apr 202629 Apr 2026Boxers from Russia and Belarus will be free to compete “with immediate effect” in international competitions as neutral athletes, World Boxing says. “The procedure was approved by the executive board of World Boxing at its most recent meeting in April 2026 and reflects the approach taken by the International Olympic Committee (IOC),” said World Boxing in a statement on Tuesday. Under the policy, athletes from the two countries will compete as Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN), without national flags, anthems, logos or uniforms, and will be subject to a vetting process. The move follows a decision by World Boxing’s executive board in March to approve membership applications from the Russian and Belarusian boxing federations, clearing the way for their athletes to compete in the events. The AIN procedure will apply across all age-group competitions organised by World Boxing, European Boxing and international events run by national federations, and will also cover coaches, support staff and team officials. World Boxing said the procedure took immediate effect, with its secretary-general formally notifying the Russian and Belarusian boxing federations of how the measures will be implemented. Advertisement AboutAboutShow moreAbout UsCode of EthicsTerms and ConditionsEU/EEA Regulatory NoticePrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyCookie PreferencesAccessibility StatementSitemapWork for usConnectConnectShow moreContact UsUser Accounts HelpAdvertise with usStay ConnectedNewslettersChannel FinderTV SchedulePodcastsSubmit a TipPaid Partner ContentOur ChannelsOur ChannelsShow moreAl Jazeera ArabicAl Jazeera EnglishAl Jazeera Investigative UnitAl Jazeera MubasherAl Jazeera DocumentaryAl Jazeera BalkansAJ+Our NetworkOur NetworkShow moreAl Jazeera Centre for StudiesAl Jazeera Media InstituteLearn ArabicAl Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human RightsAl Jazeera ForumAl Jazeera Hotel PartnersFollow Al Jazeera English: