Australian Boxers: Excluding Boxing from LA Games ‘A Crime’

The potential exclusion of boxing from the Los Angeles Olympics and future Games is “terrifying” and would disproportionately affect athletes from developing countries, according to Australian boxer Harry Garside. Currently, the boxing tournament at the Paris Games is being organized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which stripped the International Boxing Association of its recognition last June due to governance, financial, and ethical issues.

The IOC has stated it will not organize the boxing tournament in 2028, raising concerns that the sport might be left out of future Olympics. Boxing has not been included in the initial program for the Los Angeles Games.

Garside, a bronze medalist from Tokyo, expressed his concerns, emphasizing that boxers take great pride in representing their countries. “Taking that opportunity away from young people around the world would be a crime,” he said. “Boxing is one of the oldest sports, and its potential exclusion from the Olympics is truly terrifying.”

He highlighted that boxing is traditionally a sport for the underprivileged, with athletes from impoverished backgrounds often excelling and winning gold medals.

Caitlin Parker, a two-time Commonwealth Games medalist from Australia, argued that removing boxing from the Olympics would be particularly unfair to women, who have only been allowed to compete since 2012. “When I learned that women’s boxing would be included in the 2012 London Olympics, I made it my goal to compete in Rio in 2016,” Parker said. “The Olympics have been a massive part of my life, and it saddens me to think that future generations with the same dream might have it taken away.”

Australia boasts the largest boxing contingent at the Paris Games, with 12 boxers. Garside stressed the importance of seizing this opportunity to promote the sport in Australia, especially ahead of the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane.

“Boxing in Australia is thriving, and it’s exciting to be part of it,” the 27-year-old said. “With our large team at the Olympics, I’m confident we will win multiple medals. With Brisbane hosting the Olympics in two Games’ time, winning medals in Paris could significantly boost the sport’s popularity in Australia.”