Boxing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon were set a target of 18 months on Thursday to make changes in order to keep their status as Olympic sports for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The governing bodies of boxing and weightlifting were described as problem children by International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach, who has long voiced concerns with the leadership of those sports and issues with corruption and doping.
Addressing executive board meeting Thomas Bach said, “For boxing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon there will be a pathway for inclusion in this initial sports programme. These are three sports may potentially be included in the LA 28 (Los Angeles 2028) into the initial sports programme by the IOC session in 2023. If by then, the respective International Federation will demonstrate to the satisfaction of the IOC Executive Board that they have addressed the following areas first. IBA (International Boxing Association) must demonstrate that it has successfully addressed the ongoing concerns around its governance, its financial transparency and sustainability; and the integrity of its refereeing and judging processes. Second, IWF (International Weightlifting Federation) and its future leadership must demonstrate its transition towards compliance and effective change of culture. Furthermore, they must successfully address the historical incidents of doping in the sport and ensure the integrity, robustness and full independence of its anti-doping programme. Third, and this is different, very much different from weightlifting and boxing. Third, this UIPM (Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne) must finalise its proposal for the replacement of horse riding and for the overall competition format.”
Modern pentathlon has effectively been told by the IOC to remove equestrian jumping from the event, provoking a backlash from angry athletes.
All three sports have been left off the initial list of 28 on the 2028 program, which will be put to IOC members for approval in February.
