Irish Boxers can breathe a sigh of relief after it was confirmed that the sport would be included on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games programme.
There had been serious doubt whether it would be included given concerns over governance, finance and ethics at the International Boxing Association (AIBA).
That body will be suspended from the IOC though and a review undertaken after the Games.
It will take no part in the organisation of boxing at Tokyo 2020, or in the qualification process to get there.
Instead, the IOC has established a special task force which will oversee the definition of weight categories, review the number of places for athletes with a view towards increasing gender equality, and organise Qualification events to take place between January and June 2020.
“Today’s decision was taken in the interest of the athletes and the sport of boxing,” said IOC President Thomas Bach.
“We want to ensure that the athletes can live their dream and participate in the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 while drawing the necessary consequences for AIBA following the recommendations of the Inquiry Committee.”
“At the same time, we offer a pathway back to lifting the suspension, but there needs to be further fundamental change.”
The task Force has been challenged to bring back details of the weight categories and the qualification process by the end of June, at last bringing certainty to the qualification preparations of athletes including Kelly Harrington, the current World Champion at 60 KG, and Joe Ward at Light Heavyweight.
In the 2016 Games, marked by allegations of unfair judging, there were ten categories for Men ranging from 49 KG Light Flyweight up to Super Heavyweight beyond 91 KG.
There were only three weight categories for Women at Flyweight (51 KG), Lightweight (60 KG) and Middleweight (75 KG).
It is likely that this will be more balanced in 2020 which could create more opportunities for Irish Women boxers but perhaps less for the Men.
There is still a threat of legal action by the AIBA over their suspension. It has never happened before that the IOC has taken over the running of a sport at the Games and there will be a few more legal arguments before there is certainty.
At least now though there is a path emerging and a timetable set on which categories will be included and how boxers will be able to qualify.
