Men’s World Boxing Championships kicks off in Serbia

BELGRADE, SERBIA - OCTOBER 24: Men’s World Boxing Championships has kicked off on Sunday in Belgrade, Serbia with the Grand Opening Ceremony at the Stark Arena. Around 700 athletes from over 100 countries will participate in the event, which will continue until November 6th. Kosovan athletes are not allowed in Serbia, which does not recognize the country as an independent state. "The Kosovo Boxing Federation has been a full member of AIBA since November 2014 and is expected to attend the AIBA Men’s World Boxing Championships. AIBA expects that the Kosovo Boxing Federation’s delegation will be treated no differently than the delegation of any other AIBA member," said AIBA, the International Boxing Association in a statement. "Sport is intended to unite people and should be free of national politics," the statement read. Turkey, meanwhile, will compete in the championship with 13 athletes. (Footage by Filip Stevanovic/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)