After a controversy-filled week in the sport of boxing at this year's Olympics, the International Boxing Association (AIBA) have removed several judges from the rest of the Olympics.
AIBA did not announce the names of the judges or referees it was removing and it also said the results of the controversial bouts will stand.
"Following recent judging decisions and after carrying out a thorough examination by the relevant Commission, AIBA has decided to take immediate and appropriate action," AIBA said in a statement. "Since the beginning of the Olympic Games, AIBA has conducted 239 bouts. The AIBA R&J [referees and judges] Commission has reviewed all decisions and determined that less than a handful of the decisions were not at the level expected and consequently it has been decided in accordance with the AIBA R&J evaluation committee that the concerned referees and judges will no longer officiate at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. In accordance with AIBA Rules the result of all the bouts will stand."
Two cases out of several that had fans furious were Evgeny Tishchenko winning the heavyweight gold medal on August 15 and Irish bantamweight Michael Conlan losing on August 16 to Russia’s Vladimir Nikitin. The AIBA insists that its mission is to protect the sport.
"With regard to corruption, we would like to strongly restate that unless tangible proof is put forward, not rumors, we will continue to use any means, including legal or disciplinary actions to protect our sport and its R&J community whose integrity is constantly put into question," AIBA said. "The organization will not be deterred by subjective judgments made by discontented parties. We welcome all parties to come forward and provide evidence in order to take appropriate and immediate action."
There are still several divisions that have yet to finish in these Olympics so it is unlikely that the organization will make any big changes in what little time is remaining in these Games.
