The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has dismissed the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) appeal against the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to withdraw its recognition as the sport’s governing body.
In June, the IOC made the significant move to strip the IBA of its status, citing the association’s failure to implement necessary reforms in governance, finance, and ethical standards. This decision followed a prolonged period of scrutiny that began shortly after the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
According to a statement released by CAS, the IOC had repeatedly requested the IBA to undertake measures to address serious concerns related to its governance and financial stability. However, the IBA did not comply with these conditions.
“The IBA had not increased its financial transparency and sustainability, including through diversification of revenues, nor changed its processes relating to referees and judges to ensure integrity,” the CAS statement detailed. “The panel determined that these elements justified the IOC Session’s decision to withdraw recognition of the IBA.”
Moreover, the CAS highlighted that the IBA failed to implement all measures proposed by the IOC’s Governance Reform Group, including fostering a culture change within the organization.
The ruling emphasizes the IOC’s authority in setting the criteria for recognition, stating that “the IOC’s right to control the circumstances in and the conditions on which it confers recognition outweighed the IBA’s personality rights.”
This development paves the way for rival organization World Boxing to seek recognition from Olympic organizers. Last month, World Boxing announced its intent to replace the IBA and ensure that boxing remains on the program for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
The future of boxing in the Olympics now hinges on World Boxing’s efforts to meet the IOC’s stringent requirements and restore confidence in the governance of the sport.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
