The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is on the lookout for a new governing body to oversee Olympic boxing, aiming to ensure the sport's presence at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics remains secure. This development comes after the International Boxing Association (IBA) was stripped of its role in the Tokyo 2021 and the upcoming Paris Olympic Games, signaling a significant shift in the sport's governance on the Olympic stage.
De-recognition of IBA
The Court of Arbitration for Sport has upheld the IOC's decision to de-recognize the IBA, a move that underscores the seriousness of the concerns raised by the IOC regarding the IBA's governance. Notably, the IOC has criticized the IBA's leadership, particularly its Russian executives, for employing threatening language, which contributed to the decision to seek a new partner for the sport's Olympic future.
In light of these developments, the IOC remains committed to preserving boxing as a part of the Olympic program, citing the sport's widespread appeal and its capacity to foster social inclusivity. However, the IOC has made it clear that, due to governance issues, it is currently unable to independently organize another Olympic boxing tournament. As a result, it is imperative for the IOC to find a reliable International Federation to partner with by early 2025, ensuring boxing's place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics and beyond.
World Boxing Steps Up
In the wake of the IBA's de-recognition, World Boxing has emerged as a new faction, boasting members from 27 countries and already hosting tournaments. This organization has expressed a strong desire to secure boxing's Olympic future and is actively seeking support from the global boxing community to rally behind its efforts. Given the urgency of the situation, World Boxing is advocating for swift action to ensure the sport remains a cornerstone of the Olympic Movement.
IBA's Response and Future
Meanwhile, the IBA is contemplating an appeal of the Court of Arbitration for Sport's ruling to the Swiss supreme court. The organization argues that its recent efforts to reform have been unjustly overlooked. The IBA believes that the decision to remove it from its Olympic role reflects a biased perspective, disregarding the improvements it has implemented in an attempt to address the IOC's concerns.
Stakeholder Quotes Highlight the Gravity of the Situation
An IOC representative emphasized boxing's universal appeal and the importance of its inclusion in the Olympic Games: "Because of the universality and high social inclusivity of boxing, the IOC wants it to continue to feature on the program of the Olympic Games." The IOC's statement further elaborated on the necessity of a recognized and reliable International Federation to partner with, citing governance reasons as a barrier to organizing another Olympic boxing tournament independently.
World Boxing, acknowledging the urgency of the circumstances, stated: "This is an urgent situation and the clock is ticking." The organization is calling for widespread support, urging those who care about boxers and the future of boxing to join and support its efforts to preserve the sport's pivotal role in the Olympic Movement.
The IBA, voicing its perspective, remarked, "The IBA feels that disregarding these and other improvements suggests a biased view," highlighting its contention that significant reforms have been made.
As the situation unfolds, the future of Olympic boxing hangs in the balance, with the IOC in search of a new governing partner to overcome governance hurdles and ensure the sport's continuation at the Olympic Games. The emergence of World Boxing as a potential player in this scenario adds a layer of hope, yet the clock is indeed ticking for boxing's Olympic aspirations. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether boxing can maintain its storied presence on the Olympic stage or if it faces an uncertain future.