BANGKOK - Three Romanian boxers have been given life bans after they were caught shoplifting in a Chicago department store during the world amateur championships.
Marius Bogdan Dinu, 21, Ronald Gavril, 21, and Iulian Stan, 20, were caught on Friday and have already been sent home, the AmateurInternational Boxing Association (AIBA) said in a statement.
"This behaviour tarnishes the image and reputation of AIBA and the sport of boxing," AIBA president Wu Ching-kuo said.
"The measures AIBA has taken are a strong illustration of the new AIBA and its zero tolerance for misbehaviour inside or outside of the ring."
Romania's boxing chief Rudel Obreja has already issued a public apology for the incident, the AIBA said.
"Unfortunately, the consequences of that bad gesture (by the boxers) are even greater, as Romania's chances to have more athletes at the next year's Olympics decreased," Obreja told Reuters by telephone from Chicago.
In Bucharest, former world champion Leonard Doroftei was stunned by the news.
"I'm shocked as I know that all three young boxers had real possibilities to become high level boxers," Doroftei told Reuters.
"I supervised Dinu as one of his coaches and advisors and I never imagined such a sad end for him," he said. "Only to make the step towards the professional boxing might be his future in the sport."
Dinu, a junior world champion last year, denied he was fully responsible of the AIBA charges.
"I took nothing from the store, the shoppers told me to leave, but I remained in solidarity and support for my teammates," local Realitatea TV quoted Dinu as saying.
Romanian media reported that police did not press charges and the boxing delegation had flown home, including the three banned boxers.
