LAUSANNE (Switzerland), Oct 27: A bid to introduce women’s boxing at the 2008 Beijing Games was rejected by the International Olympic Committee on Thursday.

But the IOC continued its drive to increase the number of women competitors by raising participation in other sports.

Women’s teams were increased from 10 to 12 in soccer, hockey and handball while a women’s 3,000 metres steeplechase will also be added to the programme.

An open water 10km swimming race for men and women was also added to the Beijing line-up.

“The decision was purely based on technical merit,” the IOC’s director of sport Kelly Fairweather said of the boxing ruling.—Reuters