Moscow, November 6, 2024 – Umar Kremlev, the Russian sports administrator and president of the International Boxing Federation (IBA), has lashed out at Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Kremlev demands that Bach apologize to the female boxers who, he says, were deliberately endangered by the participation of controversial Algerian champion Imane Khelif in the women’s competition.
According to Kremlev, recent research results show that Khelif is in fact a man, with physical male characteristics.
Kremlev: ‘Thomas Bach must kneel and apologize to boxers’
Kremlev speaks clearly and demands that Bach take public responsibility for his mistakes. According to Kremlev, Bach should “kneel and apologize to the entire boxing community” for his “lies and mismanagement”. Kremlev accuses Bach of exposing female boxers to unfair and potentially dangerous fights.
According to Kremlev, a medical report from Le Correspondant proved that Khelif, who competed in the women’s competition at the 2024 Olympics, is actually a man. “This goes against all common sense and shows that Bach has placed his personal interests above safety and fair competition,” Kremlev said.
The call for accountability in the boxing world
The news surrounding Khelif has caused great outrage within the boxing world. According to Kremlev, the IBA has previously provided data on male athletes participating in the women’s competition. He not only demands an apology but also that the IOC leadership, including Thomas Bach, take responsibility and return the medals won to the rightful female winners.
“The facts speak for themselves,” said Kremlev, who reinforced his message with a harsh appeal: “Wake up, you messed up!” He added that boxers deserve to practice their sport fairly and safely, and that he believes the current IOC policy is far from those values.
