BOXING at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles has taken another step closer to becoming a reality.
Since 1904 boxing has been part of every Olympic program bar the 1912 Games in Sweden where the sport was illegal at that time. But after last summer’s games in Paris there were serious concerns over the sport’s involvement in three years’ time.
The IOC (International Olympic Committee) had called for a new international federation to step forward and prove they were up to the task of arranging the competition after concerns over previous governance. World Boxing, who were formed on April 13, 2023, took it upon themselves to ensure boxing remains an Olympic sport and part of the 2028 programme.
Last month World Boxing were given a boost when they were provisionally recognised as the sport’s International Federation. With new countries gaining membership all the time there are now over 80 countries involved.
Today (Monday) it was announced that the Executive Board (EB) of the IOC have proposed the inclusion of boxing at the 2028 Games to the 144th Session of the IOC which begins on Wednesday, March 19 and concludes on Tuesday, March 25.
If the IOC votes to approve the EB’s proposal boxing will be restored for LA28.
The President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, said: “This is a very significant and important decision for Olympic boxing and takes the sport one step closer to being restored to the Olympic programme.
“I have no doubt it will be very positively received by everyone connected with boxing, at every level throughout the world, who understands the critical importance to the future of the sport of boxing continuing to remain a part of the Olympic Movement.
“On behalf of everyone at World Boxing I would like to thank the EB of the IOC for the trust they have placed in our organisation and we hope for a positive outcome when the IOC Session meets this week.
“World Boxing understands that being part of the Olympic Games is a privilege and not a right and I assure the IOC that if boxing is restored to the programme for LA28, that World Boxing is completely committed to being a trustworthy and reliable partner that will adhere to and uphold the values of the Olympic Charter.”
