The Olympic movement is facing a pivotal challenge with the future of boxing at the Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is in the process of finding a new governing body to oversee Olympic boxing, aiming to safeguard the sport's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Previously, the International Boxing Association (IBA) was stripped of its role in guiding boxing during the Tokyo 2021 Olympics, and this exclusion has extended to the upcoming Paris Olympic Games. The decision was recently upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, effectively confirming the IOC's move to de-recognize the IBA as the sport's governing body.
A significant point of contention between the IOC and the IBA has been the conduct of the latter's Russian leadership. The IOC has specifically pointed out the use of what it describes as threatening language, indicating a breakdown in the relationship that has contributed to the IBA's exclusion from the Olympic movement.
Search for a New Partner
Despite these governance issues, the IOC remains committed to keeping boxing as part of the Olympic Games, which highlights the sport's broad appeal and inclusivity. However, for boxing to stay on the Olympic program, the IOC has stressed the urgent need for a recognized and reliable International Federation to partner with. This partnership is essential for the organizational aspects of the sport across the Olympic Games, as is the case with other sports in the event.
This quest for a new governing body has led to the emergence of World Boxing, a new faction comprising members from 27 nations. This group has already begun hosting tournaments and is making a concerted effort to secure boxing's future within the Olympic fold. The IOC has set an early 2025 deadline to find a suitable International Federation to govern Olympic boxing, putting a tight timeframe on these efforts.
Legal Appeals and Reform Efforts
In response to the Court of Arbitration for Sport's ruling, the IBA is considering an appeal to the Swiss supreme court. The organization feels that its recent reform efforts have been unfairly ignored. Despite its ousting, the IBA maintains that it has attempted to address governance issues and improve its operations, arguing that these efforts have not been adequately recognized.
Voices from the Boxing World
The IOC, World Boxing, and the IBA have all issued statements expressing their perspectives on the current situation and their hopes for the future.
An IOC representative echoed the organization's desire to keep boxing in the Olympic program, stating, "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. Unfortunately, this is far from certain for the Olympic Games LA 2028 because, for governance reasons, the IOC is not in a position to organize another Olympic boxing tournament. To keep boxing on the Olympic program, the IOC needs a recognized and reliable International Federation as a partner, as with all the other Olympic sports."
World Boxing highlighted the urgency of the situation and called for widespread support within the sport's community. "This is an urgent situation, and the clock is ticking. We urge every one of them that cares about boxers and the future of the sport to apply to join and support World Boxing in its efforts to ensure boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement before it is too late," the faction stated.
Meanwhile, the IBA expressed frustration over its perceived unfair treatment, stating, "The IBA feels that disregarding these and other improvements suggests a biased view."
Conclusion
The future of boxing in the Olympics hangs in a delicate balance. The sport, known for its wide appeal and capacity to bridge social divides, finds itself at a crossroads. As the IOC seeks a new governing body, the efforts of World Boxing highlight the global boxing community's determination to preserve the sport's Olympic legacy. Meanwhile, the IBA's potential legal challenge underscores the complex governance issues at play. As this situation unfolds, the world watches with bated breath, hoping for a resolution that keeps boxing within the hallowed rings of the Olympic Games.