Irish boxer Ward loses bid to get Olympics entry

Published Jul. 26, 2012 4:03 p.m. ET

foxsports

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has dismissed an appeal by Irish boxer Joseph Ward to be invited to the London Olympics ahead of a rival from Montenegro.

The court said its panel had no jurisdiction to handle Ward's case - and in any case, ''the application would have to be dismissed on the merits, too.''

Light-heavyweight Ward did not earn one of 25 direct qualifying berths for the 81-kilogram (178-pound) category.

CAS says Ward had argued that Montenegrin fighter Bosko Draskovic was not eligible for the one invitational spot.

It was offered by a panel comprising officials from boxing's governing body AIBA, the IOC and the Association of National Olympic Committees.

CAS says Irish Olympic officials did not take part in Ward's hearing.