Olympic boxing at risk, IOC warns Iba chief amid fresh governance worries

The International Olympic Committee has warned the Russian president of amateur boxing that it still has “significant concerns” over the governance, integrity of judges, and financial sustainability of the organisation he leads in a striking intervention that comes just days before he faces re-election.

The letter, sent to the International Boxing Association (Iba) president, Umar Kremlev, who has in the past thanked Vladimir Putin for his backing, also questions the sport’s readiness for the Paris 2024 qualification cycle – and reminds Kremlev that boxing is not currently in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles because of its problems.

The timing of the IOC’s letter, which was sent on Tuesday, is particularly noteworthy given that Kremlev’s hold on the sport is being challenged by his Dutch rival Boris van der Vorst in Istanbul on Friday.

Kremlev is regarded as the favourite, although many are increasingly uneasy at having a Russian president following the invasion of Ukraine. The fact that Gazprom, the Russian majority state-owned energy company, provides most of the sport’s finances only increases those concerns.

Last month Kremlev claimed that Iba had “built trust and confidence” with the IOC. However an unusually punchy letter from the IOC that has been seen by the Guardian cast doubt on the assertion.

“At the outset, we must reiterate that the IOC’s recognition of the International Boxing Association remains suspended,” the letter states. “Boxing is not currently included in the sports programme of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028, with concerns remaining in the key areas of governance, financial sustainability and the proven integrity of the refereeing and judging systems.”

The IOC’s letter also suggests Iba has not