Former world Heavyweight Boxing Champion, Klitschko, has come in the defense of boxing at the Olympics, as he feared taking out boxing from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics could deny millions of youths who are boxers their dream of being at the Olympics just like him and previous boxing legends before and after him.
Klitschko’s plea is coming as the controversy surrounding the leadership of the boxing body AIBA continues since the Rio Olympics. The election of new executives has been a major issue, but since the November 4th 2018 Congress in Moscow, where the newly elected executives met, it seems the issue of boxing losing its licensing is still hanging in the balance, as ex-professionals continues to lend their voice to the governing body to save boxing and future of youths who are aspiring to be at the Olympics in Tokyo 2020.
The Olympic body has threatened to pull out boxing from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, if all the controversies surrounding the body are not resolved. From what has been happening, it is easier said than done, as the body seem not to be finding common grounds in resolving their issues.
This also was one of the things Klitschko tried to address in his note to all the stakeholders involved. He said:
“In 1996 my dream came true and I won the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Atlanta. Now boxing is in danger of losing it’s Olympic licensing for the Games in #Tokyo2020 wiping away dreams like I had and preventing young boxers their chances of winning or even competing.
I am sure the WBA/ProAm with its improvement efforts can represent the sport of boxing for the upcoming games and would like to turn the International Olympic Committee`s attention towards those improvements. Furthermore, let’s not underestimate the excitement for boxing-fans who still appreciate this classic tactical sport for any future Olympic Games.”