Boxing could be axed from the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today freezing the planning of the tournaments at the upcoming games. The move is related to the inquiry into the International Boxing Association (AIBA), the governing body of amateur boxing.
The decision was taken after a progress report submitted by the AIBA flagged potential issues related to governance, financial management and sporting integrity. The organisation has been in disarray in recent times, something that has not gone unnoticed by those at the IOC.
As well as the issues mentioned above, anti-doping measures have also been an issue of contention.
Many on this island will be well aware of the issues in the sport, with Michael Conlan's controversial loss in the 2016 Olympics still fresh in the minds of Irish boxing fans. Conlan berated the state of amateur boxing in the aftermath of that defeat, labelling it as 'rotten to the core.'
Regardless of any issues within the sport, the removal of boxing as an olympic event would act as a major blow to Ireland's medal hopes at the 2016 games. Boxing has been by far our most successful Olympic sport, with Irish fighters winning a total of 16 medals since the 1952 games.
That fantastic record looked like it was set to continue in Tokyo, with Kellie Harrington looking to follow up her recent World Championships gold with a strong Olympic showing. The Dublin fighter actually dropped down a weight class in anticipation of these games, entering the 60kg spot vacated by Katie Taylor after her move to the professional ranks.
There is some hope that we could yet see boxing in 2020, with OC sports director Kit McConnell claiming that "the goal was still to have an Olympic boxing tournament."
However its future in the games is very much up in the air, and many in Irish boxing will hope to see the issues resolved sooner rather than later.
