AIBA came under fire last year when it was reported that they would force women to wear skirts rather than shorts, with women's boxing set to make its debut at the London 2012 Olympics later this year.

However, following a recommendation from the AIBA Technical and Rules Commission made at their meeting in Bangkok, Thailand in January, the Executive Committee Bureau have officially ruled that shorts or skirts can be worn in their Technical and Competition Rules guide.

Rule 8.1.3 of the Technical and Competition Rules now says: "For all AIBA Approved Events, Women Boxers must wear a red or blue form fitting vest and either shorts or the option of a skirt as per the Boxers' respective corner allocation, which shall be their own responsibility."

As first reported on insidethegames, AIBA President C K Wu revealed last month that the ruling would be passed by the Executive Committee Bureau when he attended the 5th World Conference on Women and Sport in Los Angeles last month.

"We never asked women to wear skirts," he explained.

"We heard recommendations about this from national federations and boxers.

"Our Technical and Rules Commission have had several discussions.

"Some women want to wear shorts and some others want to wear skirts.

"So the decision we have made is that we shall make it optional."


The AIBA President also highlighted the fact that he had been a supporter of women's boxing for many years and in his capacity as an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, he helped get the sport onto the Olympic programme in 2009.

"When I was elected President of the International Boxing Association in 2006, one of the most important reforms I needed to carry out was to include women in Olympic Boxing," he said.

"Everything in this world is more exciting, interesting and inspiring when women participate.

"Also, as a father of two daughters, I've always brought them up with the idea that women can do anything and everything.

"That must include the right to be an Olympic boxer.

"I am so glad that after years of advocating, the gender barrier will be coming down soon.

"This year's summer Olympic Games in London will be better because 36 women boxers will have the opportunity to compete for an Olympic medal in boxing for the first time in history.

"This breakthrough will also translate into more behind-the-scenes roles for women in areas of education, training, team management, along with more referees, judges, technical officials and medical practitioners.

"We have all been watching in wonder how youth and women have the power to change the world they live in.

"It is crucial for us to recognise the importance of building a solid base of women who take interest and participate in sports.

"These women will create their own legacies, not only as athletes, but also as leaders who have rounded careers in the world of international sports."

Other amendments in the AIBA Technical and Competition Rules concern the medical examination and certification of boxers, the duties of and guidelines for competition officials, the referee and judges classification and certification and the field of play management, although changes in these areas are relatively minor.

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