Olympics-IBA president Kremlev defends divisive prize money scheme despite IOC pushback

International Boxing Association(IBA) president Umar Kremlev speaks during the opening ceremony of Women's World Boxing Championships at Indira Gandhi Indoor stadium in New Delhi, India, March 15, 2023. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis/ File Photo

(Reuters) - The International Boxing Association's (IBA) plans to offer prize money to medallists at the Paris Games could widen the rift in the governance of amateur boxing after the announcement drew sharp criticism from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The IBA's move follows World Athletics' announcement last month that they would offer $50,000 in prize money to Olympic champions, starting in Paris this year.