 The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that a decision regarding the inclusion of women's boxing in the program of the 2012 Olympic Games will be made in August later this year.
The IOC Programme Commission is currently evaluating the proposal from the International Boxing Association (AIBA) to include women's boxing in the Olympics and will make a recommendation to the IOC Executive Board.
The IOC EB is then expected to make a decision at its meeting in Berlin on August 13.
AIBA demonstrated its commitment to having women's boxing included in the Olympics with a presence at the recently completed Sportaccord event in Denver, USA. In addition to outlining the structure of its new professional league, AIBA also promoted the key values and reasons on why women's boxing should be included in the Olympic program of 2012.
AIBA Women's World Championships Ningbo City 2008 81kg bronze medallist Tiffanie Hearn (USA) was part of a inspirational AIBA team in Denver and was heartened by the reaction of the 2009 Sportaccord participants:
 "The members here at Sportaccord have been extremely supportive," Hearn, who is also the US national champion said. "This week has given me great hope and encouragement that women's boxing will be included in the 2012 Olympic Games. That is my dream, that is the dream of all the female boxers around the world. We hope our dream will become a reality".
"Considering the level of women's boxing today and the amount it has improved in recent years, we are all hoping that the IOC will allow us to compete on the ultimate sporting stage". Pic: Tiffanie Hearn being interviewed by local television crew 9news at Sportaccord 2009
Of the 26 Summer Olympic sports federations who are organizing competitions in London, boxing is the only one without female participants.
Please click here for a copy of the AIBA Women's Olympic Boxing brochure
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