Crucial Womens Boxing Decision due TODAY

11.08.2009

 

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board is set to unveil its decision on whether women’s boxing should be included in the Olympic Games during the first day of its two-day meeting in Berlin, Germany on Thursday. A press conference following the first day’s meeting at 15:00 GMT + 1 featuring the IOC President Dr. Jacques Rogge will be broadcast live at the following link: www.olympic.org/ioclive.  

AIBA put forward a proposal to the IOC to include 40 female boxers across five weight categories.  Full details of the proposal

During this year, AIBA has demonstrated its commitment to having women’s boxing included in the Olympics, including having a presence at Sportaccord in Denver, USA in April. In addition to outlining the structure of its new professional league, AIBA also promoted the key values and reasons on why women’s boxing should be included in the Olympic program of 2012.

AIBA Women’s World Championships Ningbo City 2008 81kg bronze medallist Tiffanie Hearn (USA) was part of a inspirational AIBA team in Denver and was heartened by the reaction of the 2009 Sportaccord  participants: 

“The members here at Sportaccord have been extremely supportive,” Hearn, who is also the US national champion said. “This week has given me great hope and encouragement that women’s boxing will be included in the 2012 Olympic Games. That is my dream, that is the dream of all the female boxers around the world. We hope our dream will become a reality”.

“Considering the level of women’s boxing today and the amount it has improved in recent years, we are all hoping that the IOC will allow us to compete on the ultimate sporting stage”.

Pic: Tiffanie Hearn being interviewed by local television crew news at Sportaccord 2009

Of the 26 Summer Olympic sports federations who are organizing competitions in London, boxing is the only one without female participants.

Please click here for a copy of the AIBA Women’s Olympic Boxing brochure