Russia should not be allowed back in: UsykAP, MANCHESTER, EnglandThe world of sport appears to be softening the hardline stance it took when Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Ukrainian boxer Oleksandr Usyk attends a press conference in Wembley stadium in London in 2025. Russian athletes have been allowed to compete as individual neutral athletes during the ban. “The Olympic Games were created as games of peace,” he said. That simply doesn’t add up.”The undefeated Usyk returns to the ring against kickboxer Rico Verhoeven in Egypt on May 23.

Source: Taipei Times March 14, 2026 17:16 UTC