UPDATE: WBAN understands
from ‘sources close to the AIBA’ that the European Olympic
Qualifiers will now start on April 7th following representations
from a number of National Federations, boxers and coaches. The
original date was April 20th. We also learn that Samsun on the
Black Sea in Northern Turkey is the likely venue should further
terrorist attacks lead the AIBA Executive and its Security
Advisors to conclude that the safety of boxers, coaches and
officials cannot be guaranteed in Istanbul. The AIBA is
monitoring the situation daily and as always WBAN will update
you when further news reaches us.
(JAN 15) Tuesday’s
terrorist attack in Istanbul in which at least eight German
tourists were killed and scores of innocent bystanders injured
could not have come at a worse time for the International Boxing
Association (AIBA) as the Olympic qualifiers (male and female)
are scheduled to take place in Istanbul in April.
Already heavily criticised by coaches and boxers in Europe for
their failure to confirm the exact dates and where in Istanbul
the event will be held, there was further confusion when the
AIBA confirmed 5 January that there would be no seeding for the
event (and presumably this will also apply to other
Confederation Olympic qualifiers like the AMBC event in Buenos
Aires in March.
As the Olympic Games is the biggest AIBA showcase event for
boxers, coaches and spectators worldwide why would the AIBA not
wish to ensure that the public both in Rio and worldwide with
billions watching on TV or via Live Streaming, see the cream of
their boxers in action? There is a very real risk that with no
seeding, many of the world ranked boxers could all end up in the
same half of the draw leaving ‘lesser lights’ to qualify for
Rio.
WBAN understands that several of its own federations are already
unhappy with the fact that no date or actual venue has been set
for these qualifiers in Europe – boxers need to prepare and
Federations and their coaches need to plan training camps, book
flights etc. months in advance. Is it that the AIBA Executive do
not consider such ‘mundane’ matters?
Do they not realise that National Federations and coaches have
also to look at dates for tournaments leading up to qualifiers
so their boxers are in best shape when the qualifiers do take
place?
WBAN calls upon the AIBA to issue a clear statement on the above
issues but in particular what assurances can they give regarding
the safety of boxers, coaches, referees and judges as well as
spectators of ALL nationalities IF the event goes ahead as
planned in Istanbul (or elsewhere in Turkey)?
It is of course particularly disappointing that again in 2016
(as in 2012) there will be only three weights for women – as
against 10 for men – in Rio.
AIBA celebrates its 70th anniversary in 2016 and in his annual
address to the ‘AIBA family’ (inc boxers and fans worldwide) Dr
Ching-Kuo Wu had this to say:
“Rio 2016 will serve to further enhance both the men’s and
women’s boxing prestige, and with 60 boxers out of 286 already
qualified, the remaining quota places available at continental
championships and International tournaments taking place
throughout the first half of the year mean they assume an added
importance.
“Olympic qualification opportunities are sure to bring out the
very best in our boxers in the first half of this year”, said
AIBA President CK Wu. “This is the world’s biggest sporting
stage and the competition for places at Rio 2016 will make for
an unmissable series of major tournaments, as well as the
Women’s World Championships.”
"We always want to move forward, evolve and look to broaden the
appeal of our great sport," Dr. Wu added.
"But we will never lose sight of our guiding principles, at the
centre of which is the health and well-being of our boxers.
Rio will further enhance the reputation and standing of women in
our sport as the Olympic Games represent a fantastic stage to
foster gender equality in the world of sport.”
Whilst WBAN heartily endorses the need to ‘foster gender
equality in the world of sport’ one wonders how the AIBA
believes that it – and the IOC – are achieving that aim since
they ‘promised’ that as long ago as the final day of the 2012
London Olympics?
The AIBA of course has effectively pointed the finger at the IOC
but ‘it takes two to tango’ as the saying goes and since the IOC
guaranteed the same number of places for boxers (286) in Rio as
in London them perhaps Dr. Wu could tell us why the AIBA simply
did recommend to the IOC two more weights for women albeit at
the expense of men? In the unlikely event that they did ,then
why did the IOC not accept that recommendation?
For now though the most pressing issue that needs IMMEDIATE
action from the AIBA is that of the European Olympic qualifiers
set for Istanbul in Turkey in April.
Be sure we will keep you abreast of developments here.
CNN’s latest update on the terrorist attacks in Istanbul is
here:
http://edition.cnn.com/2016/01/12/europe/turkey-istanbul-explosion/
