Some years ago, when Manchester were bidding for the Olympics, their then bid leader Bob Scott (now Sir Bob) castigated the British press for what he claimed was a lack of enthusiasm, suggesting that we didn't want Manchester to win because it would deny us an overseas trip to somewhere rather more exotic.

His argument might have been worthier had he not been stepping off a plane from Acapulco at the time.

Ah yes, Acapulco, that sultry tropical paradise down Mexico way famed for cliff diving and hosting luxurious bunfights for international sports bodies, not least the International Olympic Committee.

That's where members of the Executive Board bedded down for a few nights thisweek discussing, among other things, whether to add ski half pipe, a mixed biathlon relay and women's ski jumping to the Olympic winter sports programme. Obviously, some like it hot when chewing over things that happen in a cold climate.

Funny, isn't it, how sports organisations gravitate towards these five-star laps of luxury rather than an industrial city on the Ruhr or impoverished African township that could do with a lift when it comes to holding their conventions and congresses. Well, jolly good luck to them, I suppose, with the emphasis on jolly.

As an example, no doubt the good burghers of Bolton must be wondering whether the prestigious and spacious establishment at the Reebok Stadium, ideal for such gatherings, doesn't attract the IOC, FIFA, the IAAF and the like. Surely it isn't because Bolton doesn't have quite the same cachet as Barcelona or Buenos Aires.

Mind you, in 2012 there is an opportunity for the IOC to demonstrate that they aren't adverse to showing their support for the East End rather than the west end when they hold their traditional pre-Games meeting. I hear there is a rather good Premier Inn close to Wapping.

On the subject of up-market joints, it was good to be back at London's Savoy Hotel this week for the annual Boxing Writers Dinner. The hotel has been closed for a couple of years while extensive refurbishments have taken place costing some £220 million - apparently the biggest sum in UK hotel history and the sort of figure that would build a reasonably-sized sports stadium.

The boxing bash, as always, was the best of the sports do's - a time when old ring enmities are forgotten and members of the fight fraternity embrace like long-lost brothers even though a few years back they were belting bits off each other.

However, despite the expensive tarting-up, it seemed astonishing that the Savoy provided no wheelchair access to the magnificent room where the dinner was held. A politically incorrect oversight.

Even more politically incorrect, surely, is the continued absence of women from the function. Rightly or wrongly (wrongly in my view) the club does not allow female guests. As a former chairman I voted for the inclusion of women when the issue was last raised two years ago but it was lost on a split decision. So we are embarrassingly left with what appears to be the last bastion of male chauvinism in sport.

It is time the matter was re-visited. Women's boxing is now an accepted part of the fistic landscape and it was a shame that GB's World Championships silver medallists Savannah Marshall and Nicola Adams could not be there alongside Liverpool's Commonwealth Games champion and Euro silver medallist Tommy Stalker, who won the award for amateur boxer of the year.

I have long argued with some of my contemporaries, including my good friend and club stalwart Colin Hart of The Sun, against barring women from the dinner in this day and age. They claim it would spoil the "atmosphere" by which I presume they mean it would inhibit the ribaldry from the speakers.


But most ladies I encounter connected with the fight game can bandy four-letter expletives with the best of them. Try picking a verbal argument with ex-pro slugger Jane Couch (pictured) and you'll see what I mean.

The Minister of Sport Hugh Robertson was one of my guests at the Savoy yet when the redoubtable Kate Hoey was Minister I was not allowed to invite her - even though she is a keen fight fan. Another previous Sports Minister, Tony Banks, always refused to go because it was men-only.

And here's an interesting possible scenario. Supposing a woman boxer wins a gold medal in 2012, and no male boxer does. As things stand she could not be voted the year's best amateur - well, perhaps she could but she would not be allowed to attend and collect the award. Ridiculous.

Come on fellahs. Seconds out - and ladies in.

Alan Hubbard is an award-winning sports columnist for The Independent on Sunday, and a former sports editor of The Observer. He has covered a total of 16 Summer and Winter Olympics, 10 Commonwealth Games, several football World Cups and world title fights from Atlanta to Zaire.