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AIBA hits back at critics
Source: Agencies |
September 29, 2011, Thursday
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AMATEUR boxing body AIBA rejected criticism of the seedings for the world championships in Azerbaijan and accused critics of landing a 'cheap shot' and lacking understanding of the rules.
All nine Azeri boxers in the championships, which serve as qualifiers for the London 2012 Olympics, are seeded in their divisions under a system introduced last month.
The decision means some boxers are seeded above their world rankings and should have an easier passage to the medal rounds than would otherwise be the case.
"AIBA objects to the insinuations contained in recent media reports that changes ... in relation to the seeding of boxers at the World Championships were introduced for any improper purpose," AIBA said. "The insinuations are nothing more than a cheap shot and demonstrate unfamiliarity with the rules, structure and ethos of AIBA and AIBA competitions."
The draw has fuelled further controversy after the BBC last week aired allegations that Azerbaijan was promised two gold medals at the Olympics in exchange for a US$9 million loan to World Series Boxing run under the auspices of AIBA.
The world body, which emphasized its "zero tolerance attitude to corruption", said the new seeding practice brought the world championships into line with the Olympic boxing tournament.
It pointed out that Britain, as the host nation, was entitled automatically to have six of its boxers seeded at London 2012. AIBA added that the rule change was introduced to encourage countries "which might not otherwise consider hosting the AIBA World Championships, to host this prestigious event."
All nine Azeri boxers in the championships, which serve as qualifiers for the London 2012 Olympics, are seeded in their divisions under a system introduced last month.
The decision means some boxers are seeded above their world rankings and should have an easier passage to the medal rounds than would otherwise be the case.
"AIBA objects to the insinuations contained in recent media reports that changes ... in relation to the seeding of boxers at the World Championships were introduced for any improper purpose," AIBA said. "The insinuations are nothing more than a cheap shot and demonstrate unfamiliarity with the rules, structure and ethos of AIBA and AIBA competitions."
The draw has fuelled further controversy after the BBC last week aired allegations that Azerbaijan was promised two gold medals at the Olympics in exchange for a US$9 million loan to World Series Boxing run under the auspices of AIBA.
The world body, which emphasized its "zero tolerance attitude to corruption", said the new seeding practice brought the world championships into line with the Olympic boxing tournament.
It pointed out that Britain, as the host nation, was entitled automatically to have six of its boxers seeded at London 2012. AIBA added that the rule change was introduced to encourage countries "which might not otherwise consider hosting the AIBA World Championships, to host this prestigious event."
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