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Describing them as "prostitutes in sports who get involved in politics," Kremlev pulled no punches in his critique.
International Boxing Association (IBA) president Umar Kremlev unleashed a fierce tirade against the leadership of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Describing them as "prostitutes in sports who get involved in politics," Kremlev pulled no punches in his critique.
In a report by the boxing website NotiFight, Kremlev alleged the infusion of "corruption into the IOC" since Thomas Bach took over the presidency in 2013. He criticized the IOC for its perceived failure to uphold the best interests of athletes.
The backdrop of these comments comes in the wake of a historic decision in June. IBA, under Kremlev's leadership, became the first governing body to be ousted from the Olympic Movement.
This expulsion came after an extraordinary IOC session that outlined the IBA's failure to meet conditions for revoking a suspension placed in 2019.
The suspension was instated over concerns about the IBA's financial dealings, governance, and the authenticity of its competitions.
However, despite the suspension, the IOC confirmed that boxing would remain part of the Olympic programme for both Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028.
Kremlev, while on a visit to Nicaragua, displayed optimism regarding the IBA's potential reinstatement to the Olympic fold.
He said, "Boxing is still on the program of the Olympic Games. They stopped the recognition of the IBA, because they are afraid that the IBA, being a member of the IOC, will give its very good results as an International Federation.
“I am convinced that we are going to get recognition from the IOC again."
The IBA President reserved particularly sharp words for Bach and the IOC's Executive Board, stating: "We have problems with some IOC officials, who are President Thomas Bach and his team.”
“Because they are like prostitutes in sports, who get involved in politics and do not defend the interests of the athletes."
Kremlev’s disdain was also evident in his comments about former IBA President CK Wu, who helmed the organization from 2006 to 2017.
Blaming Wu for many of the association's woes, Kremlev highlighted that Wu was banned for life by the IBA for "gross negligence and financial mismanagement." Yet, despite this ban, the IOC did not penalize Wu.
In a shocking statement during an American Boxing Confederation Continental Forum in June, Kremlev expressed that Wu should be "shot" for his role in "destroying boxing". The IOC, among others, heavily censured this comment.
Expressing frustration over the perceived lack of dialogue, Kremlev shared: "I have requested several times personal meetings with the IOC leaders, to have answers to many questions, and in response he tells me that the IBA has financial problems, and I say 'where are those problems if we help the National Federations and the athletes'."
Kremlev lauded Juan Antonio Samaranch, the former IOC president, praising him as a "great example of a sports leader."
Meanwhile, Bach addressed the ongoing issues with the IBA, stating that the IOC had an "extremely serious problem" with the association.
Christophe de Kepper, the IOC's director general, declared that the relationship with IBA had reached an irreparable impasse.
The decision to oust the IBA saw an overwhelming 69 members of the IOC Session in favour, with a solitary vote against, marking an unprecedented move in the annals of sporting governance.
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