Boxing at 2020 Olympics remains in doubt

FILE – Uzbekistan’s Hasanboy Dusmatov poses with his medal after winning Uzbekistan’s first gold medal of the Rio Olympics at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro on August 14, 2016. / AFP PHOTO / Yuri CORTEZ

Boxing could still be axed from the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo after the IOC admitted Thursday that concerns remain over the sport’s governance and management by the International Boxing Federation (AIBA).

“The IOC Executive Board received a report on the AIBA situation and highlighted its significant ongoing concern with a number of key areas… that require further information and confirmation,” said an IOC statement.

These areas involved “governance, ethical and financial management”.

In February, the IOC said they had been “extremely worried” and “extremely preoccupied” by the nomination of Uzbek businessman Gafur Rakhimov for the AIBA’s interim presidency.

“The IOC executive board decided to maintain its position which includes continued suspension of any financial contributions from IOC to AIBA and the right to review the inclusion of boxing on the programme of the 2020 Olympics.”

IOC spokesman Mark Adams said the situation will be further evaluated at the next meeting of the executive board in Tokyo from November 30-December 2.