BOXING FACES AN uncertain long-term future as an Olympic sport after its place at the 2028 Los Angeles Games was confirmed as being “on hold” Monday by the International Olympic Committee.
Boxing has been part of every Olympics since 1920 and will feature at next year’s Paris Games. It has been the source of 18 of Ireland’s 35 Olympic medals.
But in June, the International Boxing Association was effectively expelled from the Olympic movement following a bitter dispute between Games chiefs and its Russian president, Umar Kremlev.
The withdrawal of recognition by the IOC’s executive board followed concerns over the credibility of IBA sanctioned tournaments as well as the boxing governing body’s finances and governance.
No other boxing governing body has been recognised by the IOC.
Monday’s IOC session in Mumbai voted on the programme for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
But the IOC said that as it had not yet recognised another governing body for Olympic boxing, the executive board decided “any decision regarding the inclusion of boxing on the LA28 sports programme is put on hold”.
It added: “So there was no discussion of this by the IOC session.”
LA 2028 chairman Casey Wasserman, speaking to reporters in Mumbai, said Monday: “Boxing has a great history in the Olympics, has a great history in America as a lineage of boxing champions. So we’d love to see boxing on the programme.
“But obviously it’s a decision that’s going to be taken by the IOC’s membership, given the complexities that exist with the federation. We’re hopeful, but all we can do is wait for the answer.”
His comments followed those of IOC president Thomas Bach, who said last week: “We want boxing on the programme.
“We have no problem, with boxing or boxers — we have a problem with the governing body.”
Meanwhile, cricket will feature as one of five new sports at LA 2028 after being approved on Monday in a vote of the IOC’s session.
The IOC’s executive board last week accepted a proposal by LA organisers for cricket’s Twenty20 format, together with baseball/softball, flag football, squash and lacrosse, to be included.
Irish Squash Chief Executive Scott Graham welcomed the monumental inclusion of squash.
“Squash is an exciting and diverse sport which deserves its place at the Games,” he said.
“This news is particularly exciting for Irish Squash and our crop of talented budding stars and is sure to inspire more youngsters across the island of Ireland to join their local club and try their hand at squash.”
Irish Squash president Rosie Barry added: “This is a momentous day for squash players worldwide. Now is the time to believe in our big dreams of competing on the Olympics world stage.
“Heartfelt thanks to the WSF, PSA and US Squash for their effective work in promoting squash and ensuring its inclusion in the LA28 Olympic Games.”
