The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has approved changes to boxing and weightlifting weight categories for Paris 2024, with the qualification system for the Games having been approved, according to insidethegames.

The IOC announced in December that both troubled sports would see reductions in their athlete quotas for the Games.

Weightlifting’s quota place was reduced from 260 at the Rio 2016 Olympics to 196 at Tokyo 2020, with Paris 2024 seeing a further cut to 120.

Both genders will have five weight categories at the Games, with four having been removed by the IOC.

Women’s 49 kilogram, 59kg, 71kg, 81kg and over 81kg events will be contested at the Games, as well as the men’s 61kg, 73kg, 89kg, 102kg and over 102kg competitions.

The IOC has said boxing will reach full gender equality for the first time at the Olympic Games in terms of athlete participation, with 124 men and 124 women due to compete in the sport.

Seven men’s weight categories will be contested at the Games, with the 51kg, 57kg, 63.5kg, 71kg, 80kg, 92kg, and over 92kg divisions having been confirmed.

There will be an increase to six women’s weight divisions at the Games, with boxers competing in the 50kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 66kg and 75kg events.

It marks a significant change from the Rio 2016 Olympics when there were 10 men’s and three women’s weight divisions, before eight men’s and five women’s events featured at Tokyo 2020.

The IOC Executive Board has also accepted the shooting competition formats for the Games.

The IOC says Paris 2024 will be the first fully gender-balanced Games, with exactly 50 per cent male and female participation.

Paris 2024 will also mark the growth in mixed events on the programme, compared to Tokyo 2020, from 18 to 20.

The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be the biggest event ever organised in France. The Olympic games will take place from July 26 to August 11, 2024.

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency