Olympic boxing will remain part of the 2028 Games. This decision was made at the 144th IOC Session in Greece.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has reinstated boxing in the program for the 2028 Olympic Games. The 144th IOC Session in Greece made this decision. Olympic boxing had previously been on the back burner because the IOC no longer recognized the former International Boxing Association (IBA).
Olympic boxing under new management
The provisional recognition of World Boxing as the new world federation formed the basis for the IOC decision. World Boxing is now responsible for organizing the qualifying tournaments and the Olympic competition. The association currently has 88 national boxing federations from all five continents.
Olympic boxing: tradition and significance
Boxing has a long Olympic tradition. It has been part of the program since 1904, with the exception of the 1912 Games in Stockholm. Most recently, an IOC task force organized the boxing competition in Paris 2024. 68 nations took part, 31 of which won medals – a new record.
Qualification path for the 2028 Olympic Games
With the IOC’s decision, boxing will remain an integral part of the Games in Los Angeles for the time being. World Boxing is now organizing the qualification tournaments and ensuring fair competitions. The exact regulations will be announced in the coming months.
World Boxing welcomes the IOC’s decision
The President of World Boxing, Boris van der Vorst, was delighted: “This is a great day for boxing worldwide.” He thanked everyone who had contributed to this development. Former world champion Wladimir Klitschko, gold medal winner in the super heavyweight division at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, also praised the decision as a “salvation for our sport”.
Klitschko said: “This is absolutely fantastic news. Winning Olympic gold was one of the biggest highlights of my career and I would hate for this opportunity to be taken away from future generations.” The former world heavyweight champion emphasized: “The Olympics are so important for our sport and not being there would be a disaster for boxing and all boxers, from the grassroots to the pros.”
Text: Andreas Ohlberger