Published: 6 October, 2009, 12:38
Edited: 6 October, 2009, 10:02
Muslim women competing in the boxing competition at the London Olympics in 2012 will be able to enter the ring wearing headscarves and clothing that completely covers the body, according to the religious canons.
The Amateur International Boxing Association suggests that wearing such clothes wouldn’t cause any difficulties, ITAR-TASS news agency reports referring to the British Daily Star newspaper.
Only the boxer’s face should remain opened to allow the referees to see where the punches landed. Another requirement to the athletes’ outfit is protection for the chest under the clothing.
Female boxing will make its Olympic debut in 2012.
And some Muslim countries have already begun preparations for the London Games. According to the publication, the team has already been formed in Egypt, and not all of its members box in hijabs.
In Iran, the women’s team training will begin immediately after the decision on what uniform they should wear. 25 athletes aged from 14 to 25 years are in the Afghanistan team. They fight wearing the hijab under their boxing headguards.