"Boxing Should Be Banned From Olympics", Says Brain Injury Charity

Main Category: Neurology / Neuroscience
Also Included In: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 17 Aug 2009 - 2:00 PDT

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Headway - the brain injury association has reacted to the news that women's boxing could be added to the Olympic programme by calling for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to remove all forms of boxing from the rostrum of sports.

"We are deeply concerned to hear that the IOC is considering adding women's boxing to the Olympic programme," said Peter McCabe, Chief Executive of Headway. "This is nothing to do with the sex of the competitors as we believe all forms of boxing should be banned with immediate effect.

"Eleven medical associations around the world, including the BMA and the World Medical Association, have said chronic brain damage is caused by repeated blows to the head, which are experienced by all boxers. Like Headway, these medical associations believe that all forms of the sport should be banned.

"Boxing and certain martial arts disciplines are the only sports where participants are actively encouraged to strike opponents' heads, the cumulative effect of which can cause serious and long-term brain injury or even death. According to the BMA, even safety initiatives such as using head guards and having shorter rounds have a minimal effect.

"Introducing women's boxing at the Olympics would simply serve to glamorise the sport to a new audience and lead to more young women putting their health at risk.

"Headway is committed to helping people improve their lives after sustaining brain injuries and sees first-hand the devastating effects that it can have. We are equally determined to prevent more people needlessly risking their health by boxing."

Source
Headway

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