Russian Boxers Promised Lucrative Payouts for 2028 Olympics

IBA President Kremlev criticizes IOC's political agenda, vows to reward athletes

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The International Boxing Association (IBA) has promised Russian boxers substantial prize money if they compete at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, despite the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) ongoing strategy towards Russia. IBA President Umar Kremlev condemned the IOC for prioritizing politics over sports, vowing to ensure Russian athletes are properly compensated for their efforts.

Why it matters

This announcement highlights the ongoing tensions between international sports governing bodies like the IOC and Russia, as the country continues to face sanctions and restrictions following its invasion of Ukraine. The IBA's pledge to reward Russian athletes could be seen as a direct challenge to the IOC's policies, potentially escalating the geopolitical conflict within the world of sports.

The details

According to Kremlev, the IBA paid out significant sums to medalists at the recent Paris Olympics, with $100,000 going to gold medalists ($50,000 to the athlete, $25,000 each to the coach and national federation). Silver medalists received $50,000, while bronze medalists got $25,000, with a similar distribution. Even athletes who placed fifth received $10,000 from the IBA. Kremlev stated that the IOC has become more focused on politics than sports, and the IBA aims to ensure Russian athletes are properly rewarded for their efforts at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

  • The IBA payouts were made following the results of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
  • The 2028 Olympics are scheduled to take place in Los Angeles.

The players

Umar Kremlev

The president of the International Boxing Association (IBA), who has criticized the IOC's political agenda and promised substantial prize money for Russian boxers at the 2028 Olympics.

International Olympic Committee (IOC)

The governing body of the Olympic Games, which has faced criticism from the IBA president for prioritizing politics over sports.

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What they’re saying

“The Olympics have long been not about sports. There is too much politics and little respect for those who have been sweating in the gym for years. Today, it's not athletes who stand on the IOC podium, but politics, other people's interests, and behind-the-scenes games. The athletes themselves remain without decent remuneration for their work and without confidence in the future.”

— Umar Kremlev, President, International Boxing Association (IBA) (news-pravda.com)

What’s next

The IBA will continue to monitor the IOC's strategy towards Russia and will determine the final prize money structure for Russian boxers at the 2028 Olympics based on the IOC's policies at that time.

The takeaway

This dispute between the IBA and IOC highlights the ongoing politicization of international sports, where athletes are caught in the middle of geopolitical tensions. The IBA's pledge to reward Russian athletes could be seen as a defiant stance against the IOC's sanctions, potentially escalating the conflict between the two governing bodies.