Women in 2012 Olympics

[JMac]

Women's boxing included on 2012 Olympics list

BERLIN, Germany (CNN) -- Women's boxing will be included at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, the president of the International Olympic Committee announced Thursday.

The decision came during a two-day IOC Executive Board meeting in Berlin, at which board members also decided to propose golf and rugby for inclusion in the 2016 Olympic Games.

"I can only rejoice about the decision of inclusion of women's boxing," IOC President Jacques Rogge told reporters.

"I think it's a great decision. Boxing was the sole (Olympic) sport with no women involved.

"The sport of women's boxing has progressed a lot, a tremendous amount, in the last five years and it was about time to include them in the Games."

A men's class will be axed to make room for three women's weight categories at London 2012, the UK Press Association reported.

When the IOC dropped baseball and softball from the 2012 Olympic program several years ago, it said it would consider adding new sports that had a clean reputation and a wide appeal.

Rogge pointed out that women's boxing has around 200 athletes who could potentially compete in 2012, while softball has only around 120. As a result, he said, the IOC considered women's boxing to be more popular.

Softball and baseball were considered for inclusion in the 2016 Games along with squash, karate, roller sports, golf, and rugby, but the board decided to consider only the last two.

The IOC has not yet picked the host city for 2016.

Board members will submit golf and rugby to the full IOC session for a final decision at its meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark, in October.

"Golf and rugby scored high on all the criteria," Rogge told the IOC's official Web site. "They have global appeal, a geographically diverse line-up of top iconic athletes and an ethic that stresses fair play."

The International Golf Federation has proposed two four-day strokeplay tournaments for men and women, with 18 holes per round and medals awarded to the three players in each with the lowest scores.

The International Rugby Board has proposed men's and women's Sevens tournaments, with 12 teams in each being divided into two pools before semifinals and finals.

[Adamj1987]

its a good thing im looking forward to womens ams in the oylympics

[KCBoxingRef]

Outstanding! This is long overdue, and I for one; am more excited than ever to watch the 2012 Olympics!

-Ref

[JMac]

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. In order for the total number of boxers to remain at 286 there will be one less weight category in the men's competition, meaning that there will be 10 weights for men.

I'm happy for the women but not happy that a men's weight class is reduced.

[atlanta coach]

does anyone know what weight class we're going to losing? I heard heavyweight?

[lap]

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. In order for the total number of boxers to remain at 286 there will be one less weight category in the men's competition, meaning that there will be 10 weights for men.

I'm happy for the women but not happy that a men's weight class is reduced.

One would guess nobody is. I'm hoping for 48 kg to be suppressed, but that's probably not going to happen. Ethnocentricity aside, I am convinced that 51 kg is low enough for the lightest weight class in men's boxing in the 21st century.

As for a Canadian perspective on Women's Boxing and Olympics, we are heading toward a grudge match between Mary Spencer and Ariane Fortin (reigning world champs at 66 kg and 70 kg) for the right to represent Canada at 75 kg.

[JMac]

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. In order for the total number of boxers to remain at 286 there will be one less weight category in the men's competition, meaning that there will be 10 weights for men.

I'm happy for the women but not happy that a men's weight class is reduced.

One would guess nobody is. I'm hoping for 48 kg to be suppressed, but that's probably not going to happen. Ethnocentricity aside, I am convinced that 51 kg is low enough for the lightest weight class in men's boxing in the 21st century.

As for a Canadian perspective on Women's Boxing and Olympics, we are heading toward a grudge match between Mary Spencer and Ariane Fortin (reigning world champs at 66 kg and 70 kg) for the right to represent Canada at 75 kg.

That should be a good match up.
As for the weight class to be dropped. AIBA has not said yet but I would guess the same as you on 48 kg or combine the 91 and +91 like they did in the old days before they made a super heavyweight class. The bouts in the lower weight classes are more exciting to watch than the super hwt's.

[lap]

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. In order for the total number of boxers to remain at 286 there will be one less weight category in the men's competition, meaning that there will be 10 weights for men.

I'm happy for the women but not happy that a men's weight class is reduced.

One would guess nobody is. I'm hoping for 48 kg to be suppressed, but that's probably not going to happen. Ethnocentricity aside, I am convinced that 51 kg is low enough for the lightest weight class in men's boxing in the 21st century.

As for a Canadian perspective on Women's Boxing and Olympics, we are heading toward a grudge match between Mary Spencer and Ariane Fortin (reigning world champs at 66 kg and 70 kg) for the right to represent Canada at 75 kg.

That should be a good match up.
As for the weight class to be dropped. AIBA has not said yet but I would guess the same as you on 48 kg or combine the 91 and +91 like they did in the old days before they made a super heavyweight class. The bouts in the lower weight classes are more exciting to watch than the super hwt's.

Bringing back the unlimited category to 81+ kg would be the worst possible decision, in my opinion.

Could there just be a reshuffling of the limits?

[JMac]

lap wrote:

Bringing back the unlimited category to 81+ kg would be the worst possible decision, in my opinion.

Could there just be a reshuffling of the limits?

There could be like there was when they went from 12 weight classes to 11.

[teasy24]

When they went from 12 to 11 they combined (139, 147, and 156) to 141 and 152 right?

I would take the lowest five classes, (106, 112, 119, 125, and 132) combine them at like 108, 115, 122 and 130. That's what I would do.

[Dennis]

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. In order for the total number of boxers to remain at 286 there will be one less weight category in the men's competition, meaning that there will be 10 weights for men.

I'm happy for the women but not happy that a men's weight class is reduced.

One would guess nobody is. I'm hoping for 48 kg to be suppressed, but that's probably not going to happen. Ethnocentricity aside, I am convinced that 51 kg is low enough for the lightest weight class in men's boxing in the 21st century.

As for a Canadian perspective on Women's Boxing and Olympics, we are heading toward a grudge match between Mary Spencer and Ariane Fortin (reigning world champs at 66 kg and 70 kg) for the right to represent Canada at 75 kg.

That should be a good match up.
As for the weight class to be dropped. AIBA has not said yet but I would guess the same as you on 48 kg or combine the 91 and +91 like they did in the old days before they made a super heavyweight class. The bouts in the lower weight classes are more exciting to watch than the super hwt's.

I disagree that the little guys are more exciting. Did you see the KO of Roberto Alfonso by Robert Cammarelle in the Italy vs Cuba dual?

[rmz]

I agree with the member who recommended they drop the 48/106 weight class for men. I wish they didn't have to drop any weight class, but it seems to make the most sense. I think 112 is a low enough weight as well, but maybe they can combine them to make a 110 or 108 weight class.

[Dennis]

The removal of 91+kg would be a bad idea. A 180# boxer going up against a guy who outweighs him by 40% of his body weight - 252#, just doesn't seem wise. A 106# boxer giving up a mere 6% of his body weight to compete against a 112# boxer, seems a lot more feasible. The world's people are becoming larger and I don't think the big guys should be punished.

My proposal:
Eliminate the 48kg, 51kg, 54kg and 57kg weight classes and replace them with 50kg, 53kg and 56kg weight classes.

I also think that men's boxing should not have to suffer any further reductions in the future. The IOC should require other sports to cut their numbers slightly to allow for additional female boxing weight classes in the future. Men's boxing had to lose a weight class when women's wrestling was included so for 2016 and beyond other sports should suffer some small cuts rather than hurting men's boxing further.

[atlanta coach]

I agree with you Dennis. - but I bet there are alot of countries, strong at 106lbs. that are going to politic heavily not to give up that weight class.

[boxmel]

Atlanta Coach - you are SOOO right about the politics! The 91+ didn't get cut the last time due to politics - and money (that's where the pros make the big bucks).

Said Dennis:

I also think that men's boxing should not have to suffer any further reductions in the future. The IOC should require other sports to cut their numbers slightly to allow for additional female boxing weight classes in the future. Men's boxing had to lose a weight class when women's wrestling was included so for 2016 and beyond other sports should suffer some small cuts rather than hurting men's boxing further.

Men's wrestling weight classes were also cut at that time, as were a couple of other sports (don't remember who). Will be interesting to see how female boxing is received in 2012.

[ogii3]

According to my sources there are two ways of solving the problem with -36 fighter at men Olympic competition.

1. There is talks to cut of the number of qualified fighters from 48 to 81 to 24 each and to left 91 and +91 by 16 fighters. There are two more spots to be devided and it's very much possible to be used as IOC wild cards (As they give such 2-3 pleaces each olympics for countries, who do not have history in boxing).

2.

To make a total change of the weight limits in order to put down one weight. It will affect all the weight divisions (Like they did in wrestling before). Maybe the only one that will left is +91 kg

Why it's not possible to remove 48 kg or to cut 48-57 from 4 to three weight divisions? President Wu received huge support to his electing campaigne from East Asia and African countries. As you know those weights are gatekeepers for Asian and Afrikan fighters.

As we spoke few months ago in other thread about women boxing, i still think that this isn't the way to improve amateur boxing at all. For example i saw what was the competiveness at the EUropean junior women championships in my country. There are in some weights 2 girls....... Yes, it's different in senior division, but however still the sport is not so popular among women to be included and to cut of 13-14% of Men places at Olympic Games

[boxmel]

Yes, it's different in senior division, but however still the sport is not so popular among women to be included and to cut of 13-14% of Men places at Olympic Games

Hi Ogii - wondered where you've been. 8) Women's boxing was the ONLY women's sport not in the Olympics. It may not last after 2012 but the pressure to include the females was growing. The IOC can drop it anytime they want. I am in total agreement regarding your feelings about cutting the men's weights.

[atlanta coach]

Does anyone kow when A.I.B.A. will decide on the new weight classes.. I suspect they'll just redo them ie. - 110, 118 etc.. This will have a huge impact on who will and wont make the olympic team. An olympic hopeful might find himself out cause his weight class (where he is strongest at) doesnt exist more.. Should be interesting.

[DCAmateurBoxing]

Does anyone kow when A.I.B.A. will decide on the new weight classes.. I suspect they'll just redo them ie. - 110, 118 etc.. This will have a huge impact on who will and wont make the olympic team. An olympic hopeful might find himself out cause his weight class (where he is strongest at) doesnt exist more.. Should be interesting.

Well the bright side is he or she has time to get adjusted and prepared. It will be interesting to see how it shakes out.

[Mauler]

How will USAB structure nationals for the women to account for the three weight classes prior to the trials?

[boxmel]

How will USAB structure nationals for the women to account for the three weight classes prior to the trials?

I'm guessing nothing will change - the US Women's Championships will still have all the weight classes, with only the three Olympic weights advancing on.

[Mauler]

Aren't each of the classes a combination of two or more classes?

[boxmel]

Aren't each of the classes a combination of two or more classes?

Hard to say what exactly they are going to do. 48 kg and 51 kg are both the top of two weight classes (106 & 112). There is no 56 kg weight class at present and 69 kg and 75 kg are both the tops of their weight classes. If three weight classes (102, 123 and 153) are combined with the top being 112, 132 and 165 - there would conceivably be a 9 lb. difference from the lowest to the top in two of the weights and 12 lbs. in another (153 to 165). That might present a problem. We'll just have to wait and see what AIBA dictates.

[JMac]

Aren't each of the classes a combination of two or more classes?

Hard to say what exactly they are going to do. 48 kg and 51 kg are both the top of two weight classes (106 & 112). There is no 56 kg weight class at present and 69 kg and 75 kg are both the tops of their weight classes. If three weight classes (102, 123 and 153) are combined with the top being 112, 132 and 165 - there would conceivably be a 9 lb. difference from the lowest to the top in two of the weights and 12 lbs. in another (153 to 165). That might present a problem. We'll just have to wait and see what AIBA dictates.

The 3 weight classes for women are 51, 60 and 75. All 3 are current weight classes, in lbs they are 112, 132, and 165. It's not about the weight difference between classes, it's just the weight classes they were given which covers different size boxers.
Interesting enough that the best women boxer in the world, Katie Taylor is 60 kg.

[boxmel]

Interesting enough that the best women boxer in the world, Katie Taylor is 60 kg.

Jim, doesn't one of the weight classes also include the Canadian champion Mary Spencer? I wonder just how much of a chance the U.S. women have to (1) get to the Olympics and (2) medal..... :??