OPINION:
“What is a woman? Olympics wrestles with gender uproar after female boxer exits fight” (web, Aug. 1) details the recent Olympic boxing match in which Angela Carini conceded to Imane Khelif after only 46 seconds. Ms. Carini felt extreme pain in her nose after being punched.
Men should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports. Ms. Khelif could have caused permanent damage to Ms. Carini if the bout had continued and she had not conceded.
Yet there is a larger issue here: Why is anyone allowed to box at all? Kids are not allowed to fight in school, on playgrounds or anywhere else. Assault and battery by adults is a criminal offense. Yet society allows adults to jump into a boxing ring and pummel each other — and people pay to watch the spectacle.
What is the redeeming social value of boxing? It is violent, dangerous and evil. In a civilized society, there ought to be a law against it.
DIANE ISABELLE REINKE
Silver Spring, Maryland
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