🥊 The boxing world is buzzing as the International Boxing Association (IBA) faced a significant blow on Tuesday. The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) dismissed the IBA's appeal against the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) decision to withdraw its recognition as the sport's international federation.
Back in June, the IOC decided to strip the IBA of its status due to concerns over governance, financial transparency, and ethical practices. The CAS, often seen as the high court of sports, backed this move, highlighting the IBA's shortcomings in meeting the necessary reforms.
\"The IOC Session took its decision based on the recommendation issued by the IOC Executive Board on 7 June 2023 following a long process, initiated shortly after the Olympic Games Rio 2016,\" the CAS stated.
The IBA was called upon to address serious concerns, but according to the CAS, they fell short. The association failed to enhance financial transparency and diversify its revenue streams. Even more, it didn't revamp its processes related to referees and judges to guarantee integrity in the sport.
The CAS emphasized that the IBA didn't implement crucial measures proposed by the IOC's \"Governance Reform Group,\" including necessary cultural changes within the organization.
💬 \"The panel determined that these three elements justified the IOC Session's decision to withdraw recognition of the IBA,\" the CAS concluded. It underscored the IOC's right to set the standards for recognition, outweighing the IBA's own interests.
Meanwhile, the boxing community isn't left without hope. Rival organization World Boxing announced plans to seek recognition from Olympic organizers. Their goal? To step in and ensure boxing remains a part of the 2028 Los Angeles Games. 🥇🇺🇸
For fans and athletes alike, this development is a significant chapter in the ongoing saga of international boxing governance. Will World Boxing step up to the challenge? Only time will tell. ⏳
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
