Caitlin Parker, Australia’s first ever female boxer to medal at an Olympic Games, has been named Chair of World Boxing’s Athletes Committee. Parker was re-elected to the Athletes Committee by her fellow boxers at the World Boxing Championships 2025 in Liverpool.
We caught up with the Paris bronze medallist at the start of 2026 to discuss her goals, the importance of the Athletes Committee, World Boxing’s progress and more.
How did it feel to be named chair of the Athletes Committee?
I just felt really honoured, to be honest. And to be elected by my peers at the 2025 World Championships in Liverpool was special. And then to also have the committee members trust me as being the chair, is something I don’t take lightly.
I just want to do my best. I’ve been boxing most of my life, and now to be able to give back to the sport in a way that I can also advocate for athletes is important to me. It’s a responsibility that I’m really proud of.
What are your plans as chair?
One of the biggest priorities must be protecting boxing’s place in the Olympic Games and making sure athletes voices are genuinely heard. Also, to be included in all the decision-making processes, I’m really passionate about building an environment and a culture within the Australian team when I’ve been captain there.
That’s what I want to do with this committee and World Boxing, building that environment where athletes feel valued, supported and just proud to be a part of World Boxing. And that’s not just during competitions but through their entire journey in the sport.
How important do you think it is that athletes have a voice within the sport and the international federation?
It’s so essential, absolutely essential. Athletes are the heart of the sport. We live it. We live the rules, the competition schedules, the travel, the pressures every day, the literal blood, sweat and tears. A strong athlete voice makes the sport better for everyone.
World Boxing has come a long way in a short space of time and has been provisionally recognized by the IOC. What do you think are the main challenges facing the organization?
World Boxing has made massive progress in such a short period of time. The provisional IOC recognition was a massive step forward. The key challenge now is continuing to build that trust through good governance and continuing to have good transparency and consistency.
Across the whole the World Boxing community we need to be making sure that the systems in place put athletes first. World Boxing needs to be sustainable and bring together all National Federations and athletes with a shared vision of an Olympic future for the sport.
What impact do you think it will have that the new President of World Boxing comes from an athlete background and is as such a respected figure as Gennadiy Golovkin?
Obviously, having a president that comes from an athlete background is powerful. Gennadiy understands the realities of sport at the highest level and especially boxing. He knows what athletes actually have to experience in and out of the ring. The leadership that he can bring will create that credibility and trust straight away, I think, and will continue to do so for the athletes.
I think it sends a strong message that athletes matter and that their perspectives are valued at the very top of the organisation.
How has becoming a mum change your perspective as an athlete, and how do you think this can benefit the sport?
Becoming a mum has been the best thing ever. I feel like it’s made me a better person. It’s also given me perspective on purpose, that’s for sure. That’s a big one.
Also balance, I guess it it’s a bit of a reminder that, athletes are people. They have lives outside of competition and the support system that you have around you is really important. I think it can help shape a sport that better understands the athletes, I can support them through the different stages of life and create an environment where people can do well in the ring and out of the ring.