The IOC amended its charter, making it a direct process to remove disciplines from the Games program.
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The International Olympics Committee (IOC), in its executive board meeting, took some decisions that have left the future of sports like boxing and wrestling in jeopardy. As a result, questions like whether Mirabai Chanu would be able to better her Tokyo Olympics performance at the Paris 2024 are being asked.
The IOC amended its charter, making it a direct process to remove disciplines from the Games program. There is a feeling that the axe could first hit weightlifting and possibly boxing. Both sports have already had their quota of athletes cut for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Weightlifting, on the other hand, could be completely removed.
The Olympic Charter was amended so that any sport could have its full IOC membership revoked. This is if its governing body does not comply with the decision made by the IOC executive board. And also if it “acts in a manner likely to tarnish the reputation of the Olympic movement.”
It added a “but not limited to” clause that goes beyond the stated reasons for removing a sport. As a result, this would thus widen IOC’s authority.
The executive board, chaired by IOC President Thomas Bach will be able to suspend a sport from the Olympics. But only if its governing body refuses to comply with a decision.
The need for new rules was presented to the membership by IOC vice president John Coates. Coates also leads the Olympic body’s legal commission and is a close Bach ally.
“In the recent past, the IOC has been confronted with situations raising serious concerns regarding the governance of certain international federations,” Coates said at the end-of-Games meeting.
Boxing and weightlifting are among 28 core sports locked into the Olympic program. But host cities can apply to add others that appeal to a domestic market. Tokyo added baseball, softball, and karate to this year’s Games.
What’s more, it also gave debuts to skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing. This chimed with the IOC’s attempt to woo young viewers.
Breakdancing will debut in Paris while skateboarding, climbing and surfing will be retained.
