BRITISH MEDICAL ASSOCIATION AGAINST INCLUDING WOMEN’S BOX IN OLYMPIC PROGRAM

/PanARMENIAN.Net/
14.08.2009 21:41 GMT+04:00

/PanARMENIAN.Net/ British doctors protested against IOC’s decision
to include women’s box in Olympic program. They find popularization
of that form of sport harmful to women and not only to them.

British Medical Association (BMA) does not approve International
Olympic Committee’s decision to include women’s box in 2012 Olympic
Games program.

"The BMA is disappointed by the decision of the International Olympic
Committee’s executive board to introduce women’s boxing to the 2012
Olympics as it is likely to encourage more people to take up this
dangerous sport," Reuters reports, quoting organization’s release.

"Irrespective of their gender, during the course of a fight, boxers
can suffer acute brain haemorrhage and serious damage to their eyes,
ears and nose," doctors warn.

By the decision of International Olympic Committee, women will compete
at three weights in London – flyweight (48 – 51kg), lightweight (56 –
60kg) and middleweight (69 – 75kg) – with 12 boxers taking part at
each weight.

Under IOC regulations, the overall number of boxers remains unchanged –
286, with 250 being men and 36 – women.

IOC President Jacques Rogge "rejoices" about IOC’s decision as he
considers that "women’s boxing has progressed a tremendous amount in
the last five years, and it was time that it be included in the games."