ICYMI: AIBA Pays Off Debt; A First for Panama; World Lacrosse Sixes

#ICYMI -- In Case You Missed It ... Sometimes the best stories don't get the attention we think they deserve. Here are our staff picks for articles this week they really want you to know about..

(ATR) The International Boxing Association (AIBA) removes one of the major hurdles to returning to the good graces of the IOC.

AIBA on Wednesday announced it has paid off the outstanding $10 million debt owed to Azerbaijani company Benkons LLC. The loan, the biggest owed by AIBA, had been hanging over the federation for years as part of financial issues that led to former president C.K. Wu’s resignation and the IOC cutting off Olympic Solidarity funds to the federation in 2017.

The settlement of the loan fulfills an election promise made by current AIBA President Umar Kremlev to return the IF to stable financial footing.

"Financial issues have hung over the leadership of the sport I love for too many years. They have even threatened our Olympic future," said Kremlev. "Closing the debt is a core achievement for our financial health and future Olympic prospects. I am very happy that we have been able to resolve this and ensure stability for AIBA."

Click here for the rest of the story.

First World Medal for Panama in Weightlifting

(ATR) The first day of the IWF World Junior Championships in Tashkent proved historic for Panama.

The Central American nation won a world medal for the first time thanks to the performance of its weightlifter Juan Miguel Martínez, 19 years old, in the 55 kg category.

The reactions in Panama to Martinez winning the bronze medal were immediate, with the feat receiving prominent space amid the torrent of football and baseball news in the media and social networks of the country.

Speaking to Around the Rings, the new president of the Panamanian Olympic Committee, former national basketball team member and jurist Damaris Young, described Martinez's performance for national weightlifting as "historic".

"But his demonstration also highlights the great work of Professor José Manuel Ochoa with young talents," said Young, considered the first woman to head a National Olympic Committee in Central America.

Click here to read the rest of the story.

ATRadio: World Lacrosse Builds for the Future

(ATR) The launch of World Lacrosse Sixes brings a third discipline into the sport. It’s designed to appeal to a younger audience that values more action and a quicker pace to its sports.

But a smaller playing field and fewer players also offers other advantages.

World Lacrosse CEO Jim Scherr joinsAround the Rings managing editor Gerard Farek in the latest edition of ATRadio.

He says Sixes is all about growing the sport.

AroundTheRings · ATRadio: World Lacrosse Launches New Form of the Game