Women's boxing will become a medal event at the 2012 London Olympic Games after a decision by the International Olympic Committee's executive board on Thursday.

Boxing, which has been the only Olympic event without any female participants, will have three weight classes in the London Olympics. But for the men's boxing, one of the 11 categories will be dropped.

"Women's boxing has come on a tremendous amount in the last five years and it was time to include them," said IOC president Jacques Rogge.

(Xinhua News Agency August 14, 2009)