A Facebook (FB) post claims that boxing will not be part of the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. This needs context.
While boxing is currently not in the sports program for the 2028 Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said it will make a final decision on the matter by next year.
Published on Aug. 13, two days after the 2024 Paris Olympics ended, the post read:
“SAD NEWS: After 120 years, boxing is not included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic program after the IOC banned the International Boxing Association (IBA) due to the scandal at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Although it was still contested in Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, the IOC did not grant any leniency for Los Angeles 2028.”
In an Aug. 9 press conference, IOC president Thomas Bach said that they will issue a final decision on boxing’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics by next year:
“I think the answer is at some point in the next year, as soon as possible but I don’t think we can expect a final decision before next year. I hope we’ll have an answer in the first half of next year.”
Source: IOC Media YouTube channel, “IOC Press Conference – 09.08.2024,” Aug. 9, 2024 (from 57:24 to 57:43)
Bach added that boxing federations would need to create a new global boxing body to organize the sport for the next Olympics.
The IOC has been organizing Olympic boxing tournaments since Tokyo 2020 after it suspended and eventually stripped the International Boxing Association of recognition over governance issues and alleged corruption.
A new global boxing federation called World Boxing was established in 2023 and currently has 37 member countries, including the Philippines. World Boxing is not yet recognized by the IOC but it has started discussions with the Olympic body to organize boxing in the LA 2028 Games.
The IOC previously said that “because of the universality and high social inclusivity of boxing, [it] wants it to continue to feature on the programme of the Olympic Games.”
The Philippines has won most of its Olympic medals from boxing, with 10 (four silvers and six bronzes) out of its total 18 medals coming from the sport. In the just-concluded Paris Games, boxers Nesthy Petecio and Aira Villegas each won a bronze.
Published by FB pages Boy Kumo TV Boxing and Seasia goal, the posts collectively garnered over 15,400 reactions, 3,300 comments and 1,600 shares.
