IOC Suggests Boxing Could Be Removed From The 2024 Paris Olympic Games-‘The Cancellation Of Boxing’
A report from the Washington Post indicates that boxing might not be included in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
IOC Suggests Boxing Could Be Removed From The 2024 Paris Olympic Games-‘The Cancellation Of Boxing’
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) made it known in a declaration on Thursday that the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) recent actions could lead to “the cancellation of boxing” from the 2024 Paris Games.
The International Boxing Association, IBA, is the body that oversees amateur boxing. In 2019, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) removed its recognition of the (IBA), which was formerly known as AIBA, due to some governance issues.
The AIBA had suspended all 36 referees and judges used during the 2016 Rio Olympics at the time, while they were being investigated for possible misconduct, with the results of the investigation finding that certain medal bouts had been manipulated by referees and judges who were “complicit and compliant”.
Thus, the IOC took charge of the boxing competition for the Tokyo Olympics. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) clarified that the International Boxing Association (IBA) would not organise qualifiers for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In September, the IOC expressed extreme worries after the IBA supported Russian businessman Umar Kremlev to stay as president instead of organising an election. Recently, a forum was organised by the IBA in Abu Dhabi.
During the forum, Kremlev, accompanied by former world champions Roy Jones and Evander Holyfield, told the participants that the IBA had put in place most of the proposals given to them by the IOC.
Nonetheless, the IOC was not convinced by the recent forum. They were dissatisfied with the IBA’s managing of the presidential election.
Kremlev was re-elected in May after the opposition, Boris van der Vorst from the Netherlands, was not allowed to compete against him.
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) decided that van der Vorst should have had the right to challenge Kremlev for the presidential title.
Nevertheless, the IBA opted to not have a new election and kept Kremlev in the position despite the CAS’ decision. Boxing has so far not been included in the program for the Los Angeles Games of 2028, though there is still a chance that it could be included.
The future of boxing in the Olympics is firmly up in the air.