Paris 2024 Olympic Games: Why do all boxing semi-finalists get medals? Who is guaranteed a bronze?
By Jonny Bray
Updated 08/08/2024 at 21:57 GMT+1
Boxing always proves a hit at the Olympic Games, with athletes ready to put it all on the line to take home the gold medal. Eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed that medals are slightly different in boxing than in other events like the 100m or hockey. Both losing semi-finalists are awarded a bronze medal in boxing events at the Olympic Games. Here is why.
'Emotion coming out now' - Khelif celebrates victory after tough few days
Video credit: TNT Sports
Boxing has been one of the most captivating sports at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and there is still so much more to come.
The semi-finals are already underway, with the gold-medal fights set to be contested from August 6.
There will be 13 golds up for grabs between August 6 and August 10.
However, eagle-eyed viewers may have noticed a big difference between boxing and the other events on show in Paris.
There are two bronze medalists in boxing, with all four semi-finalists guaranteed a medal before a punch has been thrown.
The rule means Cindy Ngamba has become the first IOC Refugee Olympic Team athlete to win a medal.
She defeated France's Davina Michel to make history in the French capital.
- Team GB's Hepworth takes bronze in men's vault final, Downie misses out on bars medal
- Djokovic ends wait for historic Olympic gold with victory in classic over Alcaraz
It also means that Algerian boxer Imane Khelif will leave Paris with a medal following her victory over Hungary's Luca Anna Hamori.
Why do all boxing semi-finalists get a bronze medal?
According to the Olympic Games website, boxing has been an Olympic event since 1904.
At first, there was a fight to decide who would win the bronze medal between the two defeated semi-finalists, but by Helsinki 1952, that had changed.
The International Boxing Association made the decision to do away with bronze medal bouts in 1950, with the two losing semi-finalists being given an Olympic diploma in its place.
The decision was made because fighters had such a quick turnaround between their semi-final and bronze medal fights.
It was decided that due to the physical risk that comes with elite boxing, it was too damaging to a fighter's health to persist with bronze medal bouts.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/08/05/4019325-81524148-2560-1440.jpg)
History made! Ngamba beats Michel to guarantee first Olympic medal in Refugee Olympic Team history
Video credit: TNT Sports
Olympic diplomas were handed out until 1970 when all previous recipients were offered a bronze medal instead.
From then on, both losing semi-finalists in Olympic boxing events received a bronze medal.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement