New Delhi: In a major development for the sport, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has given its approval for boxing to be included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The decision has been welcomed globally, with World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst calling it a significant moment for Olympic boxing and a crucial step toward the sport’s full reinstatement in the Olympic program.
A Comeback After Uncertainty
Boxing was initially excluded from the preliminary sports program for the 2028 Los Angeles Games during an IOC session in February 2022, due to concerns surrounding the then-governing international federation. The IOC had cited issues related to governance, financial management, and integrity within the sport’s administration as reasons for its exclusion.
Path to Reinstatement Through Consensus
Last year, the IOC had made it clear that boxing could only be included in the 2028 Olympics if national boxing federations reached a consensus on the formation of a new international federation. This led to collaborative efforts among various national bodies to ensure boxing’s future in the Olympic movement.
World Boxing Provisionally Recognized
After evaluating governance and sporting integrity criteria, the IOC Executive Board, on February 26, 2025, decided to provisionally recognize World Boxing—an organization comprising 84 national federations—as the new international governing body for the sport. This provisional recognition paved the way for boxing’s reinstatement into the Olympic program.
Boris van der Vorst: “A Vital Decision for Olympic Boxing”
Welcoming the decision, van der Vorst said, “This is a vital decision for Olympic boxing. The inclusion in the LA 2028 Games strengthens the sport’s place in the Olympic movement and gives athletes around the world the opportunity to compete at the highest level.”
Looking Ahead to LA 2028
With boxing now back on the roster, preparations for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are expected to gather momentum, offering relief and renewed hope to boxers, coaches, and federations worldwide. The sport’s inclusion also underscores the importance of transparent governance and cooperation within international sports administration.
