AIBA's anti-doping programme questioned
London magazine Private Eye, a magazine that mixes current affairs with satirical content, claims to have seen a report by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) with the findings of an an inspection of the anti-doping commitment at the International Boxing Association (AIBA). According to Private Eye, the WADA report says that the staff at AIBA’s head office in Lausanne admitted that “they had conducted virtually one out-of-competition tests in the past three years and none at all last year”.
WADA has not confirmed nor denied the allegations revealed by Private Eye. WADA spokesperson Ben Nichols explained that the agency has forwarded the “recommendations of improvements and enhancement” and the follow-up meetings are scheduled for the upcoming weeks.
According to Boxing News, it is not likely that boxing could be banned from the Olympic Games. Ben Nichols told the boxing website: “WADA does not have the jurisdiction or the power to take such decisions”.
“When a signatory to the Code is declared non-compliant by WADA’s Foundation Board following recommendation from WADA’s independent Compliance Review Committee, WADA reports the decision and informs its stakeholders including the IOC – which has control over the Olympic Games – accordingly,” Nichols added.
Professional boxers allowed to compete at Rio Olympics
On June 1st, AIBA Extraordinary Congress approved the registration of non-AIBA professional boxers for all competitions. According to the AIBA’s official webpage, this constitutional change was ratified by the majority of 95% of the delegates present at the congress.
According to Reuters, an AIBA spokesperson dismissed the fears about the disparity between amateurs and professionals and noted that the governing body was “acting for the Olympic legacy”. This amendment in the AIBA Statutes would allow professionals to compete at the Rio Games in August for the first time in the history.
Mike Tyson, former world heavyweight champion was discontented by the constitutional change. "It's ridiculous, it's foolish, and some of the pro fighters are going to get beat by the amateurs. It's just going to happen, I really believe that," world famous boxer told Reuters.