The International Boxing Association (IBA) has announced significant bonuses for its Olympic medalists ahead of the Paris Olympics, promising to distribute millions in rewards. Excluded by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) due to numerous scandals, the IBA is set to support its athletes with substantial financial incentives despite its past controversies. Specifically, gold medalists will receive $50,000, while their coaches and national federations will each get $25,000. Silver and bronze medalists, along with their supporting members, will also receive considerable bonuses.
Suspended in 2019 due to debts, arbitration scandals, and leadership conflicts, the IBA faced exclusion from the Olympic movement in November 2022. Despite this, President Umar Kremlev, a controversial figure, declared that boxing was vital to the Olympics and showed no concern about the sport's potential exclusion from future Games. The Paris boxing events are scheduled from July 27 to August 10, with the IBA aiming to spotlight its athletes during this period.
In a related development, the Paris town hall has begun distributing 55,000 free tickets for the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on July 26. These tickets are specifically targeted at families from working-class neighborhoods, young people, sports enthusiasts, and community members who contribute to the organization of the Games. The recipients of these emails will have 13 days to respond, and access codes will be issued on June 10.
This initiative ensures that a diverse audience will have the opportunity to attend the ceremony, which is expected to host 326,000 people, including 222,000 with free tickets. The opening ceremony will feature a six-kilometer parade route with 15 designated areas for spectators to enjoy the event with access to food, drinks, and shade. Measures have been taken to ensure comfort and accessibility for all attendees.
- The IBA will spend a total of 3.1 million euros on medal bonuses to ensure that their athletes are recognized and rewarded for their dedication and hard work in boxing. This move is seen as an attempt by the IBA to regain credibility and support despite its troubled history.
- The Paris city officials have also planned additional waves of ticket distributions to ensure all targeted audiences can attend the ceremony. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to make the Olympics more inclusive and accessible to diverse communities in Paris.
- The mayor of Paris has emphasized that every effort is being made to ensure that the distribution process is fair and that those who contribute significantly to the Games are given opportunities to participate in the celebrations. This includes maintaining the historical integrity of Paris by preserving structures such as the second-hand booksellers' boxes.
