Trying not to skirt the issue, female boxers this week will be making a statement against a proposal that would ask them to dress up in the 2012 Olympic ring.
The International Amateur Boxing Association sparked charges of sexism this month by announcing that officials are discussing whether women fighters should be urged to wear skirts when women’s boxing debuts at the London Games.
A pre-Olympic test event this week at London’s ExCel arena involving boxers from 21 nations has brought the issue to the forefront.
“In other sports like (soccer) and cricket, you aren’t forced to wear skirts,” British lightweight Natasha Jonas said. “So I don’t see why boxing should have to.
“I know there are girls in IABA who wear skirts all the time. But psychologically, I don’t feel comfortable wearing one.”
The IABA’s decision on skirts will be made in January.
