The IOC has provisionally recognized World Boxing, a new governing body, which aims to ensure boxing’s inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. This recognition comes amid ongoing tensions between the IOC and the suspended International Boxing Association, highlighting a pivotal moment for governance reform in the sport.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has made significant progress towards ensuring boxing will be included in the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics by granting provisional recognition to a newly established governing body known as World Boxing. This organization was created in 2023 as a reformative response to address issues surrounding the long-standing International Boxing Association (IBA), which has faced persistent governance and integrity challenges. World Boxing has successfully drawn in numerous former IBA members, demonstrating its growing influence in the sport.

According to the IOC, a notable 62% of competitors from the previous Olympic event in Paris were affiliated with members of World Boxing, which illustrates the body’s increasing prominence. The IOC commended World Boxing for its commitment to improving governance and compliance with international standards. Renowned boxer Gennady Golovkin, who leads the commission responsible for solidifying World Boxing’s role, expressed optimism about the future of boxing within the Olympics, while acknowledging the challenges that lay ahead.

Golovkin stated, “Receiving provisional Olympic recognition from the IOC is an important achievement and demonstrates that our sport is on the right path. This decision brings us one step closer to our main goal — preserving boxing at the Olympic Games.” The IOC had previously suspended the IBA in 2019 due to various governance disputes and entirely removed its Olympic affiliation in 2023, shortly after the emergence of World Boxing. In light of these developments, the IOC took the initiative to organize the boxing events for both the Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 Olympics but recognized the necessity of finding a new partner before the 2028 Games.

The IBA, which continues to face controversies under its Russian president Umar Kremlev, has been embroiled in a dispute with the IOC, particularly in relation to eligibility criteria for female competitors in boxing events. In a recent statement, the IBA announced plans to pursue criminal complaints against the IOC in multiple jurisdictions, including the United States, France, and Switzerland, which further underscores the ongoing tensions within the sport.

The IOC’s provisional recognition of World Boxing marks a pivotal moment for the future of boxing in the Olympic Games, particularly in the context of the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Games. This development signifies the IOC’s commitment to governance reform in the sport after distancing itself from the IBA. The ongoing disputes between the IBA and the IOC illuminate the complications that still need resolution to ensure a smooth pathway for boxing’s inclusion in future Olympic events.

Original Source: www.irishexaminer.com

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