August 02, (THEWILL) – The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU), have released a joint statement addressing recent controversies in Olympic boxing. The statement comes amid ongoing debates about athlete eligibility and gender classifications in the sport, particularly focusing on two female boxers, whose participation has been questioned.
At the heart of the issue is a dispute between the IOC and the International Boxing Association (IBA). The IOC stripped the IBA of its recognition in 2023, following a suspension in 2019, due to governance issues. This led to the creation of the PBU to oversee boxing events for the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The statement affirms that all athletes participating in the Paris 2024 boxing tournament meet the competition’s regulations, including medical requirements. Gender and age classifications are determined by passport information, consistent with previous Olympic boxing events. This approach was used throughout the qualification process, which involved 1,471 boxers from 172 National Olympic Committees.
Addressing recent reports about two specific female athletes, the IOC defends their right to compete. These athletes have a long history in international women’s boxing, including participation in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and World Championships. The statement criticises their recent disqualification by the IBA, describing it as “sudden and arbitrary” and lacking proper procedures.
The IOC emphasises its commitment to protecting athletes’ human rights and calls for stability in eligibility rules. It states that such rules should not change during ongoing competitions and that any alterations must follow appropriate processes based on scientific evidence. The committee also outlines its vision for the future of Olympic boxing, indicating that a new International Federation must be established for the sport to be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
