Boxing Secures Spot at 2028 Los Angeles Olympics After IOC Vote
Boxing has been officially confirmed as part of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles following a unanimous vote by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The announcement marks a major milestone for the sport, which had initially been omitted from the Games schedule when it was first released in 2022.
The decision comes after the IOC granted provisional recognition to World Boxing, the sport’s new international governing body, last month. The move ensures that boxing will maintain its continuous Olympic presence, a tradition dating back to 1904, with the exception of 1912 when the sport was excluded.
Outgoing IOC president Thomas Bach welcomed the decision, stating, “I thank you for the approval of having boxing back. We can look forward to a great boxing tournament.” His comments underscore the IOC’s confidence in World Boxing to manage the sport at the Olympic level.
Boxing has faced significant governance challenges in recent years. The former international body, the International Boxing Association (IBA), was suspended by the IOC in 2019 due to concerns over governance, finances, refereeing, and ethical practices. By June 2023, the IBA, which was led by Russian officials, was stripped of its Olympic recognition after failing to implement promised reforms.
The past few years also saw controversies surrounding athlete eligibility. During the Paris 2024 Olympics, the IBA had barred two boxers, Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, from competing in the 2023 World Championships citing gender eligibility tests. However, the IOC permitted both athletes to compete in Paris, where they each went on to win gold medals in their respective weight categories. These events highlighted the need for a trusted, transparent international governing body for Olympic boxing.
World Boxing, formed in April 2023, now has 84 member federations across five continents, including the United Kingdom. President Boris van der Vorst described the IOC decision as “a great day for boxers, boxing, and everyone connected with our sport at every level across the world.” He added that World Boxing is committed to being “a trustworthy and reliable partner” and will uphold the values of the Olympic Movement.
The IOC has specified that only athletes whose national federations are members of World Boxing by the start of the 2028 Olympic qualifying events will be eligible to compete in Los Angeles. While the exact dates for the qualifying period are yet to be confirmed, this stipulation ensures that World Boxing will play a central role in selecting the Olympic boxing roster.
The inclusion of boxing in Los Angeles 2028 not only preserves the sport’s historic Olympic legacy but also strengthens confidence in World Boxing’s governance. For athletes, it provides clarity and reassurance that they will have the opportunity to compete on the world’s biggest sporting stage under a fair and regulated framework.
As preparations for the 2028 Games ramp up, boxing enthusiasts worldwide can anticipate a high-level Olympic tournament, featuring both established champions and rising stars, with the sport fully integrated into the Olympic movement once again.
