IBA president Kremlev defends divisive prize money scheme despite IOC pushback

The International Boxing Association's (IBA) plans to offer prize money to medallists at the Paris Games could widen the rift in the governance of amateur boxing after the announcement drew sharp criticism from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The IBA's move follows World Athletics' announcement last month that they would offer $50,000 in prize money to Olympic champions, starting in Paris this year.

The governing body's announcement was met with criticism from the IOC, whose President Thomas Bach suggested that the federation should instead use its funding to support athletes across the board.

Despite the IOC's disapproval, IBA President Umar Kremlev said World Athletics had made the right decision.

"For me, the spirit of the Olympic Games is to create the right conditions for athletes," Kremlev told Reuters with the help of a translator.

"Athletes are the ones who attract sponsors and, of course, all the money should belong to the athletes. That's the true spirit of the Olympic Games and the Olympic Movement. We know that is not what the IOC leadership does nowadays.

"IOC officials fly first class, live in five-star hotels, while the athletes don't live in the best conditions... I see it like gladiatorial fights, where athletes are treated as if they are slaves."

The two bodies have been at loggerheads for years, with the IOC stripping the IBA of recognition last June, saying it had failed to complete reforms on governance, finance and ethical issues.

Just as in Tokyo, the boxing tournaments in Paris are being organised by the IOC. But there are fears that boxing might be excluded from future Games, with the sport not on the initial programme for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

PRIZE MONEY

The IBA said on Wednesday that