Top female boxers are outraged after being asked to start wearing miniskirts during bouts.
After years of campaigning, women's boxing finally won the right to become part of the Olympics next year.
But the Amateur International Boxing Association has set their cause for equality back by asking women boxers to start wearing short skirts rather than shorts.
The skirts, which were trialled by Polish and Romanian fighters taking part in the recent European Championships, have left many top stars of the women's sport furious.
"I don't even wear miniskirts on a night out, so I definitely won't be wearing miniskirts in the ring," blasted Ireland's three-times world champion Katie Taylor. "It's a disgrace."
English fighter Nicola Adams echoed Taylor's thoughts.
"Boxing has always been in shorts. I don't see why it should change to skirts just because you're a female," she said.
AIBA president Dr Ching-Kuo Wu has defended the decision, which was announced at the recent World Championships in Barbados.
"I have heard many times, people say, 'We can't tell the difference between the men and the women,' especially on TV, since they're in the same uniforms and are wearing headgear," he told the Times Union.
Wu added that while the new clothing is currently optional, it may be made compulsory "after we hear about its comfort and how easy it is to compete in the uniform."
And while the likes of Taylor and Adams are furious, some fighters welcomed the change.
"By wearing skirts, in my opinion, it gives a good impression, a womanly impression," said Polish women's boxing coach Leszek Piotrowski.
"Wearing shorts is not a good way for women boxers to dress."
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/blogs/wor ... cle/74052/
Skirting the issue of boxing
Skirting the issue of boxing
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: Skirting the issue of boxing
Then it doesn't sound like they are watching for the sports value; otherwise, they would have ascertained who was competing."I have heard many times, people say, 'We can't tell the difference between the men and the women,' especially on TV, since they're in the same uniforms and are wearing headgear,"
"The dildo of consequence rarely comes lubed." -- Eileen Rose
"Colonialism is not 'winning' - it's an unsustainable model. Like your hairline." -- Candace Linklater
"Colonialism is not 'winning' - it's an unsustainable model. Like your hairline." -- Candace Linklater
Re: Skirting the issue of boxing
The skirt certainly looks more alluring, and for that reason I can understand why they don't want to wear it.
Bah!
Re: Skirting the issue of boxing
For me, it is far better to grasp the Universe as it really is than to persist in delusion, however satisfying and reassuring.
~ Carl Sagan
~ Carl Sagan
Re: Skirting the issue of boxing
WTF? Skirts are NOT sporting attire, and Miniskirts are decidedly NOT activewear.
I can't think of ONE time, I have ever seen a real woman exercise in a dress of any kind.
Okay, swimming bloomers get a pass;
...but they are so last century, and ladies hardly did anything athletic in those!
Also, there is not ONE other woman's sport that has that uniform requirement!
Shoot, the Venus Sisters caused riots by dressing that way by choice.
Next: Is it gonna be track and field only allowed in heels?
I can't think of ONE time, I have ever seen a real woman exercise in a dress of any kind.
Okay, swimming bloomers get a pass;
...but they are so last century, and ladies hardly did anything athletic in those!
Also, there is not ONE other woman's sport that has that uniform requirement!
Shoot, the Venus Sisters caused riots by dressing that way by choice.
Next: Is it gonna be track and field only allowed in heels?
Re: Skirting the issue of boxing
Are you calling them a bunch of lezzers Hen?The Hen wrote:The skirt certainly looks more alluring, and for that reason I can understand why they don't want to wear it.
Why is it that when Miley Cyrus gets naked and licks a hammer it's 'art' and 'edgy' but when I do it I'm 'drunk' and 'banned from the hardware store'?
Re: Skirting the issue of boxing
Wait, I was wrong, there is one sport, you wear a dress in;
...now if the ladies have to 'go commando' too, then there's going to be an alarming new interest in women's boxing!
...now if the ladies have to 'go commando' too, then there's going to be an alarming new interest in women's boxing!
Re: Skirting the issue of boxing
Women's tennis players have worn skirts ever since the beginning of the sport....
Re: Skirting the issue of boxing
Sorry, I didn't have much interest in that; at my High School all the girl's teams including Field Hockey, played in shorts.
Re: Skirting the issue of boxing
Except for ol' Martina Nevagotalegova of course... She was known to wear shorts occasionally.Lord Jim wrote:Women's tennis players have worn skirts ever since the beginning of the sport....
Why is it that when Miley Cyrus gets naked and licks a hammer it's 'art' and 'edgy' but when I do it I'm 'drunk' and 'banned from the hardware store'?
Re: Skirting the issue of boxing
Jim was talking about women's tennis Sean.
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”