LAUSANNE: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Thursday left boxing, weightlifting and modern pentathlon out of the list of sports to be included in the “Initial Sports Programme” for the 2028 Los Angeles Games.
The IOC has set a target of about 18 months for changes to be made in order to keep status of the three disciplnes as Olympic sports for LA28.
While issuing its edict, the IOC stated that the three sports “may potentially be included in the LA28 Initial Sports Programme” by the IOC Session in 2023 if by then the respective international federations (IFs) addressed the following areas:
AIBA (International Boxing Association) must demonstrate that it has successfully addressed the ongoing concerns around its governance, its financial transparency and sustainability, and the integrity of its refereeing and judging processes.
The IWF (International Weightlifting Federation) and its future leadership must demonstrate its transition towards compliance and an effective change of culture. Furthermore, they must successfully address the historical incidence of doping in the sport and ensure the integrity, robustness and full independence of its anti-doping programme.
The UIPM (Union Internationale de Pentathlon Moderne) must finalise its proposal for the replacement of horse riding and the overall competition format, and demonstrate a significant reduction in cost and complexity and an improvement across the areas of safety, accessibility, universality and appeal for young people and the general public.
This timeline will provide AIBA, the IWF and the UIPM with the additional time needed to effectively implement the critical reforms that have been announced by the respective IFs, and allow further consideration by the IOC executive board (EB).
Meanwhile, 28 sports, including skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing, will be proposed for inclusion in the LA28 Initial Sports Programme at the IOC Session in February 2022.
The list of approved sports includes skateboarding, surfing and sports climbing. All three made successful Olympic debuts at this year’s Tokyo Olympics and look to be locked in for the future as the IOC chases younger audiences.
It also sets them to receive a share of future Olympic broadcasting income, which is currently worth at least $15 million to each sport, AP reports.
The 28 approved sports are governed by the following International Federations (IFs):
World Athletics
World Rowing (FISA)
Badminton World Federation (BWF)
International Basketball Federation (FIBA)
International Canoe Federation (ICF)
Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI)
International Equestrian Federation (FEI)
International Fencing Federation (FIE)
Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA)
International Golf Federation (IGF)
International Gymnastics Federation (FIG)
International Handball Federation (IHF)
International Hockey Federation (FIH)
International Judo Federation (IJF)
United World Wrestling (UWW)
International Swimming Federation (FINA)
World Rugby
World Taekwondo (WT)
International Tennis Federation (ITF)
International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF)
International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF)
World Archery Federation (WA)
World Triathlon (TRI)
World Sailing (WS)
International Volleyball Federation (FIVB)
International Surfing Association (ISA)
World Skate (WSK)
International Federation of Sport Climbing (IFSC)
Football
With regard to football, the IOC said it would “continue to monitor the evolution of the international match calendar”.
Translated, it means that while football is still on the LA28 programme, the IOC has put FIFA on notice because of its plans to play World Cups every two years, instead of every four. The current cycle of men’s World Cups would put any biennial tournament in a direct clash with the Los Angeles Olympics.
The World Cup plan, which has faced resistance in Europe (UEFA) and South America (CONMEBOL), is being pushed by FIFA president Gianni Infantino. Not so coincidentally, Infantino has also been accused of tacitly supporting the still-born European Super League project, as it would have reduced the power that UEFA holds within world football (loosely akin to but nowhere close to the power that BCCI holds over world cricket) .
