The Facts
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday formally stripped the International Boxing Association (IBA) of its recognition as the sport’s governing body at an extraordinary virtual meeting due to its alleged failure to enact recommended amendments on governance, finance, and ethical issues.
The IOC voted 69-1 in favor of the removal, which the IBA called “a tremendous error.” The boxing association had tried to block the decision through an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but its efforts were rejected Tuesday.
The Spin
Narrative A
The IOC had no choice but to remove the IBA as the governing body of Olympic boxing as it failed to implement the necessary changes that have plagued its integrity and governance. The Olympics cannot endorse a body that is financially backed by Russian state businesses and has been repeatedly accused of fixing matches. The IOC will continue to promote the sport of boxing and oversee Olympic matches without IBA involvement.
Narrative B
The IOC’s decision to remove the IBA’s Olympic recognition is unjust and detrimental to the future of boxing. The IOC did not care to give the IBA a chance to implement the recommended reforms because it was committed to removing the IBA at all costs. While the IBA is solely committed to boxing, the IOC is concerned about geopolitical moves that penalize association with countries it doesn’t approve of. It is a sad day for the sport.
