Key points:

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has recommended boxing's inclusion in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
• The sport's future was uncertain until World Boxing received provisional recognition last month.
• The final inclusion requires a vote by the full IOC session, which is expected to approve the recommendation.
• The decision follows the disbanding of the International Boxing Association (IBA) due to governance issues.
• World Boxing aims to restore integrity and stability to Olympic boxing with support from key nations.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board has officially recommended the inclusion of boxing in the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics, marking a significant turnaround for the sport that faced substantial uncertainty in recent years. This recommendation, presented by IOC President Thomas Bach, underscores the new governance structure under World Boxing, which was granted provisional recognition last month.

After years of turmoil that saw the previous governing body, the International Boxing Association (IBA), suspended due to financial mismanagement and governance failures, the IOC sought a reliable partner to oversee boxing events. The newly-formed World Boxing has fulfilled this requirement, gaining support from prominent boxing nations including Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, which recognize the importance of Olympic participation for their athletes. The approval by the IOC session in Greece, expected to vote later this week, is considered a vital procedural step towards finalizing boxing's participation in the upcoming Games.

Boris van der Vorst, president of World Boxing, expressed optimism about the IOC's decision, noting its positive reception among the global boxing community. "This is a very significant and important decision for Olympic boxing and takes the sport one step closer to being restored to the Olympic programme," he stated. The influence of key Olympic nations, particularly those with strong boxing traditions, has been pivotal in rebuilding trust in the sport's governance.

Under the new framework, only boxers whose national federations are recognized by World Boxing by the time qualification events commence will be eligible to compete in Los Angeles. This stipulation emphasizes the urgency for national bodies to align with World Boxing to ensure their athletes' participation.

Thus, after a lengthy period marked by chaos, the sport is on a path to reclaim its legacy within the Olympic movement, with the IOC affirming its commitment to promoting boxing, which holds a unique position in Olympic history.

For more details, visit Reuters.