Boxing's participation in this summer's Olympic games has been plunged into doubt following revelations that the sport's governing body failed to carry out required doping tests last year.
The International Boxing Association (AIBA) carried out no out-of-competition drugs tests in all of last year and only one in the year previous, meaning the figures could be deemed non-compliant with World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) regulations and therefore be expelled from the Rio games.
Testing since London 2012 by AIBA was branded as 'almost non-existent' in a secret report carried out by Wada last year.
The report also stated that the anti-doping programme had fallen 'considerably short' of the requirements of the World Anti-Doping Code, while the one test that was carried out in 2014 and 2015 was the lowest number of all 28 summer Olympic sports.
Katie Taylor celebrates winning olympic gold in 2012
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Boxing has usually been a source of joy for Ireland at the Olympics, with four of the five medals won at London 2012 and 16 out of 28 total medals earned in the ring.
A Wada spokeswoman said: “The focus of the Partnership to Quality Program is to identify areas of improvement and to support the IF (International Sports Federation) in addressing them.
"This is a dynamic process, which includes a two-day visit as a starting point, but also involves regular follow-up contacts to ensure that the recommendations made by the Wada team are put into practice by the IF.
John Joe Nevin (Blue) in action against Lazaro Alvarez Estrada (Red) of Cuba in London 2012
Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan
Download the brand new OffTheBall App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
