IBF, IBO, WBA, WBO heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk is urging the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to ban Russia from the Olympic Games in Paris.
Most recently, Usyk’s countryman – Wladimir Klitschko – also stood firm on his position that the IOC preclude Russia from participating in the upcoming Olympics.
Russian is currently engaged in a military conflict with Ukraine.
The IOC recently decided to allow athletes from Russia and its close ally Belarus to take part in the Olympics – although they are unable to have national flags or anthems.
“I am a Ukrainian athlete. I won an Olympic gold in boxing in 2012. I am the current world heavyweight champion,” Usyk said to IOC President Thomas Bach.
“You want to allow Russian athletes to compete at the Olympics. Russian armed forces invaded our country and kill civilians. The Russian army is killing Ukrainian athletes and coaches and destroying sports grounds as well as sports halls. The medals that Russian athletes are going to win are medals of blood, deaths and tears.”
Last year, Usyk returned to Ukraine to assist the local military with the attacks from Russian forces.
He would eventually enter camp and retain his world titles with an impressive twelve round decision win over Anthony Joshua.
Usyk is currently involved in serious negotiations to have an undisputed showdown with WBC world champion Tyson Fury. The fight is targeted to take place in the Middle East – or Wembley Stadium in the UK as the alternative location to host.