Get to know the reasons why the International Olympic Committee (IOC) could exclude boxing from one of the most important sports events in the world

After a number of problems that have been presented at the International Boxing Association (AIBA), this sport could be removed from the Olympic Games of Tokyo 2020. For now, no concrete measures have been taken on the governance, ethics and financial management of this organization, which has generated concern. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been concerned about the appointment of the Uzbek Gafur Rakhimov as president of the AIBA. According to Univision, Rakhimov will be temporarily in charge, but his wish is to aspire to the boxing agency's presidency.

Leer en español: Uno de los deportes más tradicionales podría ser retirado de los Juegos Olímpicos de Tokio 2020

Conflicts in the AIBA

According to boxeodecampeones.com, the IOC is concerned about the designation of Gafur Rakhimov as interim president for criminal links, so the option of leaving boxing outside of the Youth Olympic Games is being studied.

"There are a number of administrative irregularities in AIBA and Rakhimov has problems with drugs, going against the IOC," said sports journalist Álvaro Pérez in an interview with LatinAmerican Post. Pérez is an experienced Colombian social communicator, who has been a boxing commentator in various national and international contests.

However, the AIBA is collecting signatures in order to deliver a document to the International Olympic Committee so that it does not remove this discipline from the Olympic Games.

In a statement from the International Olympic Committee released by boxingscene.com, there are a number of things that should be reviewed. They assured in that letter that it is necessary to review certain information that was provided to them by AIBA.

It may interest you: The curious story of the African-American boxer who first competed as a woman

Repercussions in the boxing world

The head of the World Boxing Council, Mauricio Sulaimán, expressed his point of view to the program Martes de Café. According to 8columnas.com, Sulaimán said that "we must deal with this, this can not be, it is an original sport since the first Olympic Games, it is the sport that gives to the person an opportunity to bring glory to his people". Subsequently, Sulaimán stressed that if these measures are taken, he will meet with former champion Lennox Lewis to act immediately.

For his part, Álvaro Pérez added that the Olympics would lose one of its sports insigina, which has a large number of fans in the world. The coffee country journalist indicated that the Asian countries would be harmed since they are experts in this type of combat disciplines.

Possible solutions

The Colombian sports journalist stressed the need for a restructuring in AIBA, establishing a board of directors to negotiate with the Olympic Committee. However, Sulaimán said that he will collect signatures both in Mexico and in the world to demonstrates the interest that this sport arouses. Similarly, the head of the World Boxing Council said that he will do everything possible to keep the pugilism in the Olympics and therefore will make several efforts. The Mexican leader Sulaimán emphasized to ESPN that it is not fair that the boxers pay for the bad administrations.

It should be remembered that in December of 2017, Taiwanese Wu Ching-kuo was dismissed from the AIBA by the leaders when he was accused of embezzling 10 million dollars. La Nación registered that Wu indicated in a convention of the World Boxing Association (AMB) that took place in Medellín that there were shortcomings due to corruption.

However, this issue will be defined in November when the AIBA elections take place. From that moment on, several points will be determined.

LatinAmerican Post | Daniel Cuevas

Translated from "Uno de los deportes más tradicionales podría ser retirado de los Juegos Olímpicos de Tokio 2020"