Boxing is not yet 100% on the program of the Los Angeles Olympics.
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PARIS. It is still open whether boxing will compete at the next Summer Olympics in Los Angeles four years from now.
The International Olympic Committee has announced that it will no longer organize Olympic boxing after four years. The IOC took over the organization of boxing, when the international boxing association IBA, mired in corruption scandals, was no longer allowed to do so.
The IBA has also made headlines for allowing Russian and Belarusian boxers to compete in its events.
The new umbrella organization World Boxing, established as a counter force to the IBA, has only 35 members. Last fall, Finland also defected to become a member.
Executive Director of the Boxing Association Marko Laine admits that the organization needs even more members for IOC recognition, but new members are also coming.
IBA runs on Russian money. It has been reported publicly that the chairman of the IBA Umar Kremlinov is also close to the Russian president Vladimir Putin with.
Laine believes that the IBA will be able to keep some countries involved with the money.
– I see a big meaning in that, because they give really heavy monetary rewards. They are a great thing in themselves, but in this case Russia is using it as a tool of power, says Laine.
IBA give to its members 100,000 dollars for the Paris Olympic victory, 50,000 dollars for the silver medal and 25,000 dollars for the bronze medal. The prize money for the silver medal and bronze medal is divided in half between the athlete and the boxing association of the country he represents.
Of the 100,000 dollars for the gold medal, 50,000 will be distributed to the athlete, 25,000 to the coach and 25,000 to the sports association.
Despite everything, the Finnish boxing boss believes that boxing will also compete in Los Angeles in four years.
– I know of discussions between World Boxing and the sports federations. The processes are not always so fast.
Boxing has been on the program of the Olympic Games almost since the beginning, i.e. since 1904. If the situation were to lead to the sport falling from the program, it would be a harsh blow for Finland.
As an example, for example Pilha Kaivo-ojan such a 21-year-old talent. Boxing has also been a successful sport in Finland in the last games, because Mira Potkonen took Olympic bronze medals in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo.
– It would be sad for everyone and the entire sport if boxing were to drop out of the Olympics. Not only for Finland, says Laine.
Spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee Marc Adams said on Friday in Paris that he hopedthat boxing will continue in the Olympic program and that he is optimistic about it.