BBC alleges Azerbaijan paid $9m in return for Olympic golds

Head of governing body announces investigation after BBC alleges that Azerbaijan paid $9m in return for Olympic golds, guardian.co.uk reported.

The BBC claimed that whistleblowers said the head of World Series Boxing, the ambitious attempt by the International Amateur Boxing Association (Aiba) to launch a global amateur series to rival the professional code, had accepted $9m (£5.85m) from Azerbaijan in return for a promise it would win two golds in the London games.

Aiba, which organises the judging and administration of the sport at the Olympics, admitted that an Azeri national paid $9m to WSB to invest in its American franchises. But lawyers for Aiba told the BBC the allegation that medals were bought was "preposterous and utterly untrue".

The BBC claims to have emails showing the investment agreement was presented to Azerbaijan government officials and asked for the money to be paid to the WSB American operations. Aiba said the money was from an unnamed investor but was routed through the government.