The International Boxing Association Launches Investigation into Boxing Canada Amid Athlete Abuse Claims
The International Boxing Association (IBA) has approved an investigation into Boxing Canada following allegations of widespread abuse from athletes. The disciplinary action was taken “in order to safeguard members of the boxing community in line with the IBA anti-harassment and abuse policy.”
The move comes just days after Boxing Canada’s high performance director, Daniel Trepanier, resigned on Sunday. His departure followed an open letter signed by dozens of current and former Canadian boxers, including three-time world champion Mary Spencer and 11-time national champion Mandy Bujold, who detailed a “toxic culture of fear and silence” within the organization. The athletes accused Trepanier of fostering a hostile environment filled with homophobic, misogynistic, and sexist comments, as well as safety concerns such as forcing them to spar despite having concussion symptoms. They also raised concerns over a lack of impartiality in fund distribution and team selections.
“we ‘no longer want to work with Daniel Trepanier’ and that he is ‘not fit to lead the Canadian High Performance Boxing Program.'”
This is not the first time calls have been made for Trepanier’s resignation. In 2014, a letter signed by national team coaches and athletes stated that they “no longer want to work with Daniel Trepanier” and that he is “not fit to lead the Canadian High Performance Boxing Program.” A 2016 study commissioned by Own the Podium and Boxing Canada also found the high-performance program to be severely lacking.
In response to Trepanier’s resignation, Boxing Canada president Ryan Savage criticized the IBA’s involvement, stating that the organization “does not believe that the IBA has the credibility to lead an ethics review until it has resolved its own internal affairs and reinstated by the IOC.” The IBA’s accreditation for Trepanier has been pulled from the ongoing women’s world championships in Istanbul.
This latest development underscores the urgent need for a thorough, independent investigation into the allegations of abuse and misconduct within Boxing Canada. The well-being and safety of the athletes must be the top priority as the sport looks to address these troubling issues.
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