From Wuhan To Amman
IOC moves Olympic boxing qualifers to Jordan. It is from March 3-11
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has announced that Jordan will host 2020 Olympic boxing qualifiers for Asia and Oceania after an event in Wuhan, China, was canceled due to fears over the new flu-like coronavirus.
This has given more time for local boxers Winston Hill and Jone Koroilagilagi to train under head coach Pauliasi Ratu (Snr).
According to reports, the death toll from the virus rose to 41 on Saturday, with more than 1,300 infected globally, but most of the cases and all of the deaths so far have been in Wuhan, where officials have imposed severe restrictions on travel and public gatherings. The IOC said in a statement the qualification event would take place in Amman from March 3 to 11.
“After a careful review of all alternatives, the BTF (Boxing Task Force) approved the proposal of the Jordan Olympic Committee today.
“In order to confirm the competition dates and location as soon as possible, in the best interest of the athletes preparing for the qualifier,” the IOC stated.
Preparations for the boxing tournament at the Tokyo Olympics have already been upended after the IOC in June took over the competition and suspended AIBA, amateur boxing’s global governing body, due to issues with its finances and governance.
The global boxing body has been in turmoil over its finances and governance for years with the federation US$16 million in debt.
It has also been split internally by an ongoing bitter battle over the presidency.
The IOC have instead set up a BTF, led by its member and International Gymnastics Federation head Morinari Watanabe, to organise the boxing events.