World Boxing Council President Mauricio Sulaiman has "expressed his firm opposition" to the proposal of the Amateur Int'l Boxing Association to let professional boxers fight in the Olympics. Sulaiman said, "It is a clear demonstration of AIBA's total failure to generate competitiveness and good competition in the Olympics." Sulaiman "emphasized the difference of boxing from other sports." He said, "It is a very dangerous sport especially if the level of opposition is not equal, that's why we are completely opposed to this idea" (MANILA TIMES, 3/30).
IOC President Thomas Bach announced "additional changes to the IOC Commissions" for '16 that include female representation of more than 33%. There is also "further growth in the numbers of members from Africa and Oceania as well as the different stakeholders of the Olympic Movement." In total there are 449 Commission Members in '16, up from 430 in '15, 150 of whom are now women. Bach: "For the first time we are beyond 33 percent women in the IOC Commissions. In less than three years we have increased women's representation on the IOC's Commissions by 60 percent" (THE SPORTS CAMPUS, 3/30).
The Australian Olympic Team on Wednesday revealed the uniforms "which it will wear to the opening ceremony of this year's Rio Olympic Games."
Debuting the "retro candy stripe" get-ups, Australian athletes "looked comfortable" and "preppy" in the green and white striped blazers, which were coupled with bright white shorts and skirts.
Australia's Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller said that "the uniforms reflected the fun nature of Rio de Janeiro" while also keeping the tradition of the uniforms being "integral" to the Games (XINHUA, 3/30).
