IOC chief Thomas Bach says boxing should be in LA Olympics, with conditions

Olympic chief supports boxing in LA despite gender controversy, urges sport to address governance issues for inclusion.

Olympic chief Thomas Bach said on August 3 boxing should be in the next Games in Los Angeles despite a furore over the gender of two women boxers in Paris — but urged the sport to get its house in order fast.

Algerian Imane Khelif’s bout with an Italian opponent that only lasted 46 seconds and Taiwanese fighter Lin Yu-ting’s progress in Paris have sparked a row because both were disqualified from last year’s world championships after failing eligibility tests. Khelif fights again on August 3.

The issue has been complicated by boxing’s governance structure — the IOC seized control of the management of the programme from the International Boxing Association because of concerns about the way the body operated the sport.

In a press conference to review the first half of the Paris Games, International Olympic Committee president Bach was asked if boxing should still feature in the 2028 programme in Los Angeles given the problems raised in Paris.

“Very clearly yes,” Bach replied. “Boxing is one of the most global sports. Boxing is a sport with high social values.”

However, Bach stressed that boxing needed to find new international leadership.

“First of all, we want boxing in the programme of the Olympic Games. This is the target. But boxing can only be in the Olympic Games in Los Angeles if we have a reliable partner,” he said.