IBA stripped of hosting boxing events at Paris 2024 Olympics by IOC
Baku, June 25, AZERTAC
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has stripped the International Boxing Association (IBA) of its rights to organize boxing events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games due to ongoing concerns over governance issues within the organization, according to insidethegames.
This includes qualifying events for the Games, meaning this will be the second consecutive Olympics where the IOC will organize events without the International Federation.
IOC sports director Kit McConnell said the recent Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) case that found IBA Presidential hopeful Boris van der Vorst should have been able to stand after being deemed ineligible, was the last straw.
"The IOC felt enough was enough and in the interest of the athletes and the boxing community, has decided the boxing qualifying events and competition will not be run under the authority of the IBA," said McConnell.
"This decision is centred on the athletes themselves to provide certainty on the Olympic competitions and the Olympic qualifications leading up to Paris 2024 and follows the very concerning issues that continue to go on in the IBA.
"To give athletes certainty, the IOC Board had to step in."
In response, the IBA said it was "deeply disappointed" with the decision, and added it would take time to "carefully consider its next steps."
Concerns outlined by the IOC included IBA's finances, refereeing and judging system, as well as its governance.
It added that no host city contracts had been signed for IBA's proposed Paris 2024 qualification system, with just two years until quota spots have to be finalised.
A letter to Kremlev from IOC director general Christophe de Kepper and Pâquerette Girard Zappelli from the IOC chief ethics and compliance office - seen by insidethegames - said the decision to remove IBA from Paris 2024 preparations was unanimous.
McConnell added the IOC had not decided the format of the boxing taskforce for Paris or if it would bear similarities to the one used at the Tokyo Games, mentioning a proposal would be sent back to the Executive Board for approval.
He acknowledged that the "limited pool of qualified referees and judges" was an issue, but promised they "will again go through a very extensive review and process".
"The IOC administration will finalise on an exceptional basis alternative models for the organisation of these boxing competitions, working closely with the Paris 2024 Organising Committee and athletes' representatives," he added.
"The outcomes of these discussions and suggested recommendations will then be presented to the IOC Executive Board in due course."
Boxing's position for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games is to be discussed at a later date.
IBA is to hold a second Extraordinary Congress in September or October this year, with Kremlev and van der Vorst expected to run for Presidency.
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