The sport of boxing has been officially removed from the upcoming Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, dealing a significant blow to Cuba, a nation renowned for its rich boxing tradition and impressive Olympic medal haul. What was once a mere possibility is now confirmed reality.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has formally announced the decision through a communiqué sent to all national committees, confirming that boxing will not be included in the Los Angeles 2028 Games. This decision has been anticipated since the conclusion of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Dispute and Exclusion
The exclusion of boxing results from a long-standing conflict between the IOC and the International Boxing Association, characterized by disagreements, misunderstandings, and corruption scandals. Alongside boxing, sports like Breaking Dance and Rugby 7 have also been removed from the Los Angeles program due to their lack of expected popularity following the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Cuban Sports Face New Challenges
In response to the announcement, sports journalist Yassel Porto voiced concerns over the future of Cuban athletics. "Without Mijaín López in the delegation and the absence of a sport that, despite yielding only one gold in Paris, has consistently been a high medal producer, Cuba's prospects for securing titles look grim," he shared on Facebook. Porto highlighted the compounded issues of economic crisis, underdevelopment, the rise of other nations, and the increasing exodus of athletes.
The journalist expressed hope that "the situation won't be as chaotic" for Cuban sports following the announcement, while affirming his wish to see "Cuban athletes succeeding, regardless of political propaganda." He cautioned, "But we must be realistic: if we distanced ourselves from Tokyo in Paris, the outlook for Los Angeles appears even more daunting."