IOC freezes funding to boxing body

THE INTERNATIONAL Olympic (IOC) Committee has frozen payments to the International Boxing Association (AIBA) because of judging issues, a source of trouble for the sport for many years.

The IOC usually gives international sports federations millions of dollars after the Olympics, but the governing body stopped payments to AIBA because no progress was made during their discussions after the games, IOC spokeswoman Giselle Davies said yesterday.

"It's due to general judging issues that remain unresolved since the Athens Olympics," Davies said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press, stressing the boxing results from the Athens Games were not in question.

The Los Angeles Times reported yesterday that the IOC froze more than US$9 million that was set to be given to AIBA. AIBA's headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland, was closed yesterday, and no one could be reached for comment.

Five sports federations, including gymnastics, fencing and wrestling, were also asked to discuss issues with the IOC following last year's Olympics. Four of them have made progress, according to the IOC, but boxing has not.

"There was a general observation in Athens that things needed to be improved," Davies said.

The Los Angeles Times article said IOC President Jacques Rogge signed a letter saying that the funds will remain frozen until AIBA provides a "clear timeline and planned actions".