For the first time in over 100 years, popular sport – boxing will not be included in the 2028 Olympics.
As the Paris 2024 Olympics conclude, attention shifts to the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
However, fans are already expressing disappointment over the exclusion of a beloved sport from the upcoming Olympics.
Popular sport – boxing was unexpectedly absent from the Paris Olympics.
For the first time in over 100 years, boxing will not be included in the Olympic program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
This decision marks a significant change in Olympic history.
Boxing has been a staple of the Summer Games almost continuously since its debut in 1904.
Additionally, the last instance of its exclusion was in 1912, due to Swedish laws that prohibited the sport.
Boxing’s exclusion has led to controversy.
The removal of boxing stems from ongoing issues between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Boxing Association (IBA).
In addition, the IOC withdrew its recognition of the IBA as the global governing body in 2023.
This decision was influenced by financial and governance concerns, particularly regarding transparency. The association’s reliance on a state-owned company, Gazprom.
In May, the IOC released a statement addressing these issues:
“The IOC has taken note of the decision by the IBA regarding prize money. As always with the IBA, it is unclear where the money is coming from. This total lack of financial transparency was one of the reasons the IOC withdrew its recognition of the IBA. The IBA was not prepared to transparently explain the sources of its financing or its full financial dependency on Gazprom.”
Due to these concerns, the IBA was excluded from managing the boxing tournaments at the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics.
Consequently, the IOC decided that boxing would not be part of the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
The IOC has outlined conditions for boxing’s potential reinstatement.
For the sport to return to the Olympics, it must be organized by a credible, well-governed international federation.
The IOC has specified that any boxer associated with a national federation adhering to the IBA will be barred from participating. This restriction applies to the LA28 Games.
National Olympic Committees must exclude such federations from their memberships.
While. the final decision on boxing’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics will be made in 2025.
Therefore, there remains a possibility for the sport’s return if new organizing bodies meet the IOC’s requirements.
Additionally, boxing’s absence from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics represents a significant shift in the Olympic landscape.
Additionally, the sport’s long-standing history in the Games makes this development particularly noteworthy.
The future of Olympic boxing hinges on reform and adherence to the IOC’s stringent standards. A final determination is expected in 2025.