Oleksandr Usyk Urges IOC To Ban Russian Athletes From 2024 Paris Olympics

Ukrainian boxer, Oleksandr Usyk. (Photo: Instagram.com/@usykaa)

JAKARTA – IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight champion, Oleksandr Usyk has urged the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ban Russian athletes from participating in the Paris Olympics.

Usyk spoke out after his former compatriot, and former heavyweight champion, Wladimir Klitschko, said the same thing. The IOC has been asked not to allow Russian athletes and their allies to participate in the prestigious event in 2024.

"You want to allow Russian athletes to compete in the Olympics? Russian armed forces invaded our country and killed civilians," Usyk said, according to Boxing Scene.

The IOC recently decided to allow Russian athletes and their Belarusian allies who have shown no support for their country's invasion of Ukraine to take part in Paris next year.

On condition, they will compete as neutral athletes without flags and national anthems. However, the decision made the IOC seen as a promoter of war and tarnished the noble values of the Olympics.

"Russian soldiers killed Ukrainian athletes and coaches and destroyed sports fields and sports halls. The medals that the Russian athletes will win are medals of blood, death, and tears," Usyk said.

When Russia invaded Ukraine last year, Usyk decided to return to his homeland to help the local military.

He then returned to training camp and defended his world title by winning a 12-round unanimous decision against Anthony Joshua last August.

Usyk is currently in negotiations for an undisputed title fight with WBC world champion Tyson Fury. This fight is targeted to take place in the Middle East or Wembley Stadium in England.