The IOC recognizes World Boxing as a provisional world federation. This increases the chance that the association will remain a permanent part of the Olympic Movement.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognizes World Boxing as the provisional world federation for boxing. This decision was taken by the IOC Executive Board in a virtual meeting today. This recognition brings the full integration of World Boxing into the Olympic Movement a step closer.
Why World Boxing receives the recognition
The decision is based on several criteria. For example, the world federation founded in Frankfurt am Main in November 2023 unites 78 national federations on five continents. In addition, four continental confederations have already been founded. An important argument: 62% of boxers and 58% of boxing medal winners at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris belong to these confederations and their associations.
Another plus point is the integrity of the competitions. The Paris 2024 rules, which are designed to ensure fair fights, are adopted. Independent monitoring ensures that competitions remain clean. Membership of the international sports umbrella organization AIMS also speaks in favour of the new association.
World Boxing meets governance standards
Boxing is not only convincing in sporting terms, but also structurally. The association introduces ethical guidelines, transparency rules and anti-corruption measures. In addition, long-term partner contracts secure the finances. Another signal of seriousness: the new world federation recognizes the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and follows the rules of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Privilege and responsibility
“Today’s decision by the IOC is an important milestone,” said World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst, “but everyone involved with World Boxing understands that being part of the Olympic Movement is a privilege and a responsibility, not a right. There is still much work to be done and everyone remains determined to continue to work together and do everything in their power to provide a better future for our sport and ensure that boxing remains at the heart of the Olympic Movement.”
“Our sport is on the right track”
Former two-time unified middleweight world champion Gennadiy Golovkin also welcomes the IOC’s decision. Golovkin is Chairman of the Olympic Commission of World Boxing and President of the National Olympic Committee of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The silver medal winner from Athens 2004 explained: “The provisional Olympic recognition by the IOC is an important success and shows that our sport is on the right track. This decision brings us one step closer to our main goal – to keep boxing at the Olympic Games.”
The next step for World Boxing
The provisional recognition is an important step. World Boxing must now continue to show that it meets international standards. If the federation continues its development, it could soon be fully accepted into the Olympic Movement. This would pave the way for the long-term future of Olympic boxing.
Text: Andreas Ohlberger