IOC's Provisional Recognition: A Responsibility, Not a Right

The North Paris Arena is ensconced in one corner of the sprawling metropolis. In the quiet neighborhood, cheered on by thousands, boxers were carving out their destiny inside the ring during the 2024 Olympics.

- Indraneel Das @Chennai

On the sidelines, World Boxing (WB) president Boris van der Vorst was pacing up and down, sometimes watching games and at other times meeting people, trying to create another destiny. During a conversation with this daily, the WB chief had said they would have at least 50 national federations associated with them by the end of the Games. Reaching that number would have meant taking a small step towards getting provisional recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Boxing is yet to be part of the LA28 programme. Boris and his team had been working relentlessly since they broke away from the International Boxing Association in April 2023. Finally, on Wednesday, more than six months after the Olympics, the IOC granted them provisional recognition; it was recognition of their hard work and commitment towards the sport. Boris, however, feels this is just the beginning of a journey. During a virtual interaction with this daily from the Netherlands, the WB chief outlined the challenges ahead and the world body's plans to keep the sport clean and running. Excerpts:

On the provisional recognition & what it means to boxing community as a whole?