British women boxers have taken off their gloves to campaign against authorities who want them to wear skirts in the ring at this year's Olympics.
British women boxers have taken off their gloves to campaign against authorities who want them to wear skirts in the ring at this year's Olympics.
Women's boxing will make its Olympics debut during the London 2012 games.
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And the Amateur International Boxing Association (IABA) suggested to its national federations that wearing skirts would make female athletes look elegant and help distinguish them from their male counterparts.
The AIBA is meeting on Wednesday to discuss the games and draw up recommendations, including suitable dress requirements.
Meanwhile Elizabeth Plank, a London-based amateur boxer, is leading a campaign against the recommendation that women should wear skirts in the ring.
"I love boxing, it invigorates and animates every muscle and fragment of flesh in my body and I want to be judged on my skill, not what sex I am," the Daily Mail quoted Elizabeth as saying.
"This petition is not about a piece of fabric, it's about athletes. It's about their credibility," she stated.
Professional boxer Marianne Marston - who runs women's boxing classes across London - is another supporter of the petition.
"I run women's boxing classes six days a week. Most of these classes are for beginners and for many women, boxing not only increases their fitness and gives them new skills, it also boosts their self-confidence" said Marianne.
"Unfortunately it's sometimes difficult for women to go into boxing gyms and be taken seriously. As soon as guys see women in make-up and revealing clothes then they begin to pay them unwanted attention.
"If female boxers are forced to wear feminine apparel then this will create more problems in gyms.
"I choose to wear a skirt while boxing and that's my decision to make.
"No-one should be forced to wear clothes that make them uncomfortable. As soon as you start objectifying female athletes, then you're basically reducing it to the level of a strip club.
"All female athletes should be judged by their sport, not by how much skin they have on show," she added.
Brie Rogers Lowery, UK Director of Campaigns at Change.org, said Change.org is about empowering anyone, anywhere to demand action on the issues that matter to them.
"It has been incredible to watch Elizabeth's campaign take off. She has recruited women from around the world who share her anger and she's making the AIBA take notice," said Lowery.
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