AIBA candidate Rakhimov hints at stepping aside

The IOC has said Gafur Rakhimov’s bid to become president of AIBA could put the association’s place in the Olympics at risk.

Rakhimov is on a U.S. Treasury Department sanctions list for alleged ties to organized crime and international heroin trafficking. He has denied wrongdoing.

The leading candidate to run the amateur boxing association has hinted he will take a leave of absence if elected to calm tensions with the International Olympic Committee.

The IOC has said Gafur Rakhimov’s bid to become president of AIBA could put the association’s place in the Olympics at risk. Rakhimov is on a U.S. Treasury Department sanctions list for alleged ties to organized crime and international heroin trafficking. He has denied wrongdoing.

Rakhimov, who is AIBA’s interim president, says, "We are addressing any issues that the IOC would have as a result of the election" through proposed amendments to AIBA rules, particularly “a system that will allow an elected president, whoever that may be, to step aside for a limited period of time, should it be necessary.”

Rakhimov is running against Serik Konakbayev of Kazakhstan for the AIBA presidency. The election is set for Saturday.