Twin-ring plan may be scrapped

Press, 14 September 1988, Page 50

Twin-ring plan may be scrapped

NZPA-Reuter Seoul Controversial plans to stage Olympic boxing simultaneously in two rings could be scrapped because of a late drop in entries and intense pressure from television. Games officials said this week that about 430 boxers would now take part compared with the 550 originally expected, a record number which the organisers felt could not be whittled down in time for the finals without the use of two rings. “I personally think we

could now just about squeeze all the fights into the scheduled twoweek period using the one ring,” said the Olympic boxing official, Chung Ha-sung. “But the final decision will be made at Thursday’s meeting between the International Amateur Boxing Association (1.A.8.A.) and the organising committee,” Mr Chung said. The Seoul organisers have received complaints from the International Olympic Committee and broadcasting

media from around the world. Television companies iri particular - have lobbied furiously and the NBC News executive, Alex Giladi, said the need to ‘ follow two bouts at the same time would severely hamper coverage. “I think they now realise the harm they could do to their sport and we can only hope the correct decision will be reached on Thursday,” he said. NBC is paying at least SUS3OO million (SNZ47I

million) for exclusive North American television rights to the 16day Olympics which open, on Saturday. .. Twin rings or not, the boxing competition promises to be a marathon affair with some of the lighter boxers facing as many as six bouts to get within punching distance of a gold medal. The fights in the 7500seat stadium begin only hours after the Games open and, with only one rest day, continue until the last day.