The problem is with the IBA and its procedures and operations, not with boxing or boxers as a sport. While there are some signs that the boxing administration has been reorganised, there are numerous signs that the dramatic cultural change that the IOC demanded be achieved in order to end the suspension of the IBA’s recognition has not been put into place.
IOC Writes a Letter Outlining Its Concerns and Refuses to Lift Boxing Body’s Suspension
The IOC stated in the letter that as a result, it was not in a position to change its position regarding the suspension of IBA’s recognition at this time.The International Boxing Association (IBA) has been suspended from participation in Olympic boxing competitions, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided not to reinstate that accreditation.
In its meeting on Tuesday, the IOC Executive Board chose to do without the IBA and also wrote another communique to the boxing authority outlining its concerns, noting that the IBA had not done enough to allay its worries about governance and transparency.
The IOC stated in a statement posted on its website that as a result, the IOC Executive Board (EB) “has sent another letter listing its concerns to IBA, following the one delivered in September 2022, informing it that drastic change of culture requested by IOC to lift suspension of IBA’s recognition has not been implemented.”
The IOC included a list of the IBA’s work-related areas in the letter.
The problem is with the IBA and its procedures and operations, not with boxing or boxers as a sport. While there are some signs that the boxing administration has been reorganised, there are numerous signs that the dramatic cultural change that the IOC demanded be achieved in order to end the suspension of the IBA’s recognition has not been put into place. The IOC stated in the letter that as a result, it was not in a position to change its position regarding the suspension of IBA’s recognition at this time.
Additionally, the letter stated that the IOC would move through with the qualification scheme for boxing at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The IOC also stated that at this time, it will not be able to recommend boxing be added to the Olympic sports schedule for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
The first sports schedule for the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028 does not presently contain boxing. If a decision had to be made today regarding the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 2028, IOC EB would not be able to recommend IOC Session to include boxing in the sports programme under the authority of the IBA because the IBA has not shown that it has successfully addressed ongoing concerns about its governance, financial transparency, sustainability, and the integrity of its refereeing and judging processes, according to a letter from IOC.