PARIS, France — Russian boxers will be allowed to compete under their national flag and have Russia’s anthem played at international events after World Boxing lifted sanctions against the country’s athletes on Thursday, the Olympic-recognized governing body announced.
World Boxing said its executive committee approved Russia’s return to international competitions under the same conditions as other national federations.
The organization said it would monitor the conduct of Russian delegations during competitions and ensure compliance with anti-doping rules.
Russian and Belarusian athletes faced widespread restrictions across international sports after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. Several sports have since allowed athletes from the two countries to return, mostly under neutral status.
The International Olympic Committee also announced in early July that it had lifted the suspension of the Russian Olympic Committee and eased restrictions on Russian athletes, allowing them to pursue qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
World Boxing had previously allowed Russian fighters to compete under a neutral banner in April. The latest decision restores the use of Russia’s national symbols at its competitions.
Russian Sports Minister Mikhail Degtyarev welcomed the decision, saying Russian boxers could now compete in international events across all age categories with their national flag and anthem.
World Boxing, founded in 2023 and led by former Olympic boxing champion Gennady Golovkin of Kazakhstan, currently holds recognition from the IOC as the sport’s global governing body.