- International Olympic Committee’s decision to sever ties with IBA upheld by CAS
In a decisive blow to the International Boxing Association (IBA), the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has upheld the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to sever ties with the organization, effectively removing it from the Olympic family.
The ruling, announced on April 2, 2024, confirmed that the IBA’s appeal had been dismissed due to its failure to meet the IOC’s stringent conditions for recognition. These conditions were aimed at addressing longstanding concerns over governance, financial stability, and ethical issues within the IBA.
The controversy surrounding the IBA, led by Russian President Umar Kremlev, reached a climax in June of the previous year when the IOC made the unprecedented move to strip the association of its recognition.
This decision was the culmination of a prolonged scrutiny process that began shortly after the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The IOC had repeatedly requested the IBA to undertake significant reforms to rectify serious issues related to its governance, financial transparency, and the integrity of its referees and judges.
Sri Lanka Boxing Association President Dian Gomes serves as a Board Director of IBA
However, according to the CAS statement, the IBA failed to increase its financial transparency and sustainability, including through diversification of revenues. Additionally, the IBA did not adequately reform its process regarding referees and judges to ensure integrity, nor did it implement all the governance reform measures proposed by the IOC, including a necessary change of culture.
In light of the CAS ruling, Umar Kremlev had previously stated in November that the IBA would consider appealing at Switzerland’s supreme court, indicating the potential for further legal battles in the quest to regain Olympic recognition. Despite these efforts, the CAS panel determined that the IBA’s shortcomings in meeting the IOC’s conditions justified the decision to withdraw recognition.
Furthermore, the panel emphasized that the IOC’s right to control the circumstances and conditions of its recognition superseded the IBA’s rights.
The removal of the IBA from the Olympic framework marks a significant moment in the world of sports, highlighting the critical importance of governance, financial stability, and ethical conduct in the administration of international sports organizations.
In the wake of this decision, World Boxing, a newly formed rival body, announced its intention to seek recognition from Olympic organizers. The aim is to replace the IBA and ensure the continuation of boxing as a sport in the Olympic program, particularly for the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Games. This development underscores the ongoing efforts to preserve the integrity and future of Olympic boxing amidst the challenges posed by governance and ethical controversies.
Incidentally, Sri Lanka Boxing Association President Dian Gomes currently serves as a Board Director of IBA.
