🥊✨ Big news for boxing fans! The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has given provisional recognition to World Boxing, marking a crucial step toward getting boxing back into the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.
After the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics, where the IOC took over boxing events following the suspension of the International Boxing Association (IBA) in 2023 due to governance and finance issues, the IOC has been pushing for a more transparent and fair management of the sport.
Enter World Boxing, a new global governing body launched in 2023. With 78 members spanning five continents, World Boxing met all the IOC's criteria, including strong governance structures, adherence to the World Anti-Doping Code, and independent oversight during the Paris Games.
\"This is a very significant day for everyone connected with the sport of boxing in the Olympic movement,\" said Boris van der Vorst, President of World Boxing. \"Keeping its place at the Olympic Games is absolutely critical to the future of our sport… This decision by the IOC takes us one step closer to our objective of seeing boxing restored to the Olympic program.\"
The provisional recognition means that boxing can now move forward towards inclusion in the next Olympic Games, overcoming one of the biggest hurdles: establishing a new, globally recognized governing body.
Previously, the IOC had suspended the IBA in 2019 over various issues and ultimately stripped it of recognition in 2023—a rare move demonstrating the IOC's commitment to integrity in sports.
Stay tuned as boxing punches its way back into the Olympic spotlight! 🥊🌟
Reference(s):
IOC grants provisional recognition to new governing body World Boxing
cgtn.com
