ATR First: Pre-Olympic Boxing Concerns in Buenos Aires

(ATR) A second wave of COVID-19 in Argentina has forced new restrictions that could complicate holding the Americas Olympic Boxing Qualifying Tournament in Buenos Aires.

A spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee confirmed to Around the Rings on Tuesday the concern about the latest measures that the South American nation has had to adopt. These decisions could mean a drastic reduction to only four daily international flights into Ezeia Buenos Aires airport.

The IOC's Boxing Task Force (BTF), which is in charge of both Tokyo 2020 qualifying and the sport's tournament at the Games, has warned National Olympic Committees and Boxing National Federations about the potential issue.

In the statement sent to ATR, it was revealed that the Organizing Committee for the Americas Qualifying Event "has been granted exemptions from the Argentinian authorities to allow the entry of all participants into the country.

"However, new restrictions for incoming flights into Argentina from specific countries may have an impact on various team delegations' travel logistics.

"With that in mind and as the situation continues to be assessed with the Local Organizing Committee, the Boxing Task Force has reminded National Olympic Committees and Boxing National Federations from the Americas to ensure that any flight tickets they reserve are fully refundable."

Argentina has banned flights from Brazil, Mexico and Chile since March 27 as a measure to stop the spread of new variants of COVID-19.

However, a source close to the Organizing Committee of the Argentine Pre-Olympic, consulted by ATR, expressed his confidence that the event will take place.

"We are working together with the government authorities and the IOC to carry out the tournament and evaluating the different alternatives," said the official.

"In principle, the contest is authorized, guaranteed, but there are restrictions that have been incorporated a week ago from neighboring countries that obviously have to be resolved.

"All the steps are being taken to ensure that everyone can compete.

"There is a lot of caution with the increase in infections that are occurring throughout the region

"We are working together so that everything can be done in the best possible way," commented the Argentine sports source.

According to local authorities, it is possible that as soon as mid-April the daily frequency of international commercial flights could be reduced to four, including regional destinations as well as those from Europe, the United States and Asia.

At the same time, strict controls remain in place for travelers, who in some cases are examined three times, must sign an affidavit and quarantine.

The Americas Qualifying Tournament was rescheduled in Buenos Aires from May 10 to 16, 2021, after being moved in March of this year and after being postponed for the first time a year ago.

The president of the Mexican Boxing Federation, lawyer Ricardo Contreras confirmed the IOC's indication about caution when buying air tickets and booking hotels in Buenos Aires.

Contreras told ATR that in case of difficulties with the Pre-Olympic in Buenos Aires, Mexico would be willing to organize it in the city of Guadalajara.

In restructuring the Olympic qualification process, the Task Force also canceled the World Pre-Olympic in June in Paris and reserved the French capital to host the European Pre-Olympic from June 4 to 8, replacing London.

The 53 quota places (32 men and 21 women) that were planned to be allocated in the final World Olympic Qualifier will now be allocated equally across all four regions (Africa, America, Asia/Oceania and Europe) in all weight classes.

A ranking based on the international results recorded during the last four years (2017-2021) including, among others, the Olympic qualification events, will be taken into account.

The European Qualifier will resume from where it was suspended on March 16, 2020 in the British capital, due to Covid-19 cases among the participants.

The continental qualifying events for Africa and Asia/Oceania were completed in early 2020.

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic tournament will feature 286 boxers (186 men, 100 women) competing in 13 weight classes (eight for men, five for women).

The Boxing Task Force was created by the IOC Executive Commission in June 2019, after it suspended the International Boxing Association (AIBA) due to concerns about finances, governance, ethics and arbitration. The new president of AIBA, Russian Umar Kremlev, hopes the sanctions will be lifted after the Olympic Games and with the introduction of reforms.

Written and reported by Miguel Hernandez

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