So finally the Olympics opened its doors to women’s boxing, it was the only sport in the Olympic program without women.

Women actually did box in the 1904 Olympics but it wasn’t very popular; Women’s boxing has developed a higher profile in recent years thanks to boxers like Laila Ali and Jacqueline Frazier, daughters of old rivals Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

The Women’s International Boxing Association argued and tried hard to get the approval from the International Olympic Committee and they got the authorization but they didn’t get their way completely.

If the Boxing Association has anything to say about it, they will be wearing skirts.

That’s right, skirts! Instead of the usual shorts the AIBA (Amateur International Boxing Association) has introduced a trial alternate uniform, asking females to wear skirts because “it will make the women easier to distinguish from the men”.  Distinguish them from the men? Who’s confused? The difference is pretty clear, and even if it weren’t what’s the need to distinguish them? As if the completely different bodies weren’t enough!

Its one thing to make the skirt an option; I’m all for putting more decisions in the hand of the athletes but to force it upon them is simply sexist!

Unsurprisingly many top female boxers are against this plan; they don’t want to wear something that they will find uncomfortable while fighting. Most rather stick with the uniform that is in line with boxing’s heritage.

In other combat sports in the Olympics, women wear the same thing as men. Judo players wear gis, wrestlers wear singlets, and fencers wear kits. Those sports don’t have a problem distinguishing between men and women

In boxing matches the guys are topless and women obviously don’t fight topless, so the uniform is already not the same, what more do they want to distinguish them. Unless they have a mental challenge I don’t get their point!

I understand boxing is a spectator sport but spectators, or at least me, want to go see the sport not go check out the latest fashion in miniskirts.

Athletes should be allowed to wear what is right for their sport, regardless of whether it looks good or not.