When Mick Conlan set off on his expletive-laden RTÉ interview after being robbed at the hands Russian boxing and AIBA, we knew that it was going to have a massive impact.
Well, perhaps we feared that AIBA would simply attempt to ignore it with Conlan set for a bright future in the professional ranks, but having made the headlines around the world it appears that AIBA have been forced into action.
A statement was released today that confirms AIBA's executive director has been "moved to a new role", claiming that they have taken the measure to ensure a level playing field, which of course is a direct implication that the playing field was never level to begin with.
Further to the decision taken yesterday by AIBA with regard to the reassessment of the judges and referees officiating during Rio 2016 Olympic Games, the AIBA Vice Presidents and Executive Board members have decided to reassign immediately the current AIBA Executive Director to a new role within the organization. Consequently, the operational responsibilities for the remainder of the Olympic Boxing Competition will now fall under the responsibilities of the most senior Vice President of the AIBA Executive Board, Mr Franco Falcinelli, President of the European Boxing Confederation.
The Olympic Games represent the pinnacle of all sports and Boxing has been part of this since 1904. Since the beginning of Rio 2016, AIBA has conducted 250 bouts and remains fully committed to a zero tolerance policy towards fair play in boxing always acting in the boxers’ utmost interest.
The latest decisions taken emphasized AIBA will not shy away from its responsibilities and will continue to ensure a level playing field and a fair and transparent sport. It is of paramount importance to protect our sport and its R&J community whose integrity is constantly put into question.
Having previously contested that a few bouts at the Olympic games had been scored wrongly, it seems to be a change of tune from AIBA.
Irish boxing journalist Kevin Byrne raised that point on twitter as the statement broke.
AIBA give someone else a shot at running Olympic boxing tournament, Frenchman & Exec Director Karim Bouzidi moved pic.twitter.com/ofXtJgBXz1
— Kevin Byrne (@KevByrneBox) August 18, 2016
So much implied in this statement, AIBA saying latest decisions taken to ensure a level playing field and fair & transparent sport.
— Kevin Byrne (@KevByrneBox) August 18, 2016
Which begs the question, are they suggesting it was not? I thought they'd only conceded that some bouts were merely scored wrong.
— Kevin Byrne (@KevByrneBox) August 18, 2016
The fact that Russian boxer Vladimir Nikitin was unfit to participate in the semi-final that he never should have qualified for makes the entire situation all the more farcical for AIBA, and while the changes that have been made will not please everyone, at least some accountability it being taken.
Furthermore, it proves that Conlan has been heard. Something we feared about the outstanding interview was that as it went viral and racked up thousands of views around the world, what he was actually saying may have been lost along the way. Thankfully that appears to not be the case.
