Female Boxers To Wear Skirts In London?

The international federation for boxing (AIBA) has introduced female boxing for the 2012 Olympic Games in London, with 36 boxers scheduled to compete for medals. A few months back, AIBA generated a good deal of controversy by implying that these female competitors would have to wear skirts in the ring, as opposed to the standard pair of shorts.  Some lady boxers were quoted as saying they do not even wear skirts when they go out with their friends, with AIBA countering that skirts make it easier to determine whether boxers are male or female. 

Following a recent meeting of AIBA's executive committee, in which the issue was part of the discussion, it has officially been determined that women fighters will have the choice of either sticking with shorts, or adorning the controversial skirts.

British boxer Natasha Jones may have summed it up the best.

"Personally, I think it's more for the aesthetics; nothing practical is going to come from wearing a skirt. The only people who would want to see women in skirts are men.”