More than 500 boxers, coaches and like-minded people gathered in front of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) headquarters in Lausanne to speak out for the Olympic future of boxing under the leadership of the IBA.
Representatives of the boxing community organized two massive peaceful protests as part of the Stand for Boxing campaign. They were led by the world and Olympic champion, Frenchwoman Estelle Mossely.
The action was also attended by athletes and coaches from various countries, including Russia, Kazakhstan, France, Switzerland, Poland, Germany and Italy.
“This is a great opportunity for boxing to showcase our passion for the sport. We want to highlight the importance of the IBA and IOC working together for the benefit of athletes. A dream came true for me in 2016 when I became an Olympic champion,” Mossley said.
She also urged the IOC not to destroy the dream of many boxers who are doing everything to become part of the Olympic Movement.
“I sincerely hope that all parties involved in the decision on this issue will be able to find a solution based on the Olympic future of boxing,” – said the French athlete.
An athlete from Germany, Zeina Nassar, believes that over the past 2 years, the IBA has been actively transformed and has become a boxing home for every athlete and member of the boxing community.
“The time has come to ensure that this progress is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). It is time for decisions about the future of boxing to be made through close collaboration and open discussion with the IBA and the boxing community,” Nassar emphasized.
A wave of peaceful protests began in 2022, when legendary boxer Roy Jones Jr held a peaceful demonstration in Lausanne in front of the Olympic Museum under the slogan “No Olympics without boxing.”
Recall that in February 2022, at the IOC session, it became known that the Olympics could lose boxing along with other sports. To keep the seat, the IOC required “confirm eligibility”.
