Australian Medical Association calls for ban on boxing at Olympics, Commonwealth Games - Polidicks

[quote]The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is calling for combat sports like boxing to be banned at the Olympic and Commonwealth Games, over concerns the sports are causing "irreversible injury". Boxing and mixed martial arts (MMA) fighting feature skilled athletes, competing to the best of their ability — but they also feature people trying their hardest to physically injure one another. A new position statement from the AMA said it was now against any sport, martial art or activity where the aim is to inflict physical injury. It defined combat sports as "any sport, martial art or activity in which the primary objective of participants is to strike, kick, hit, grapple with, throw or punch one or more participants". "These sports are a public demonstration of interpersonal violence which is unique among sporting activities. Victory is obtained by inflicting on the opponent such a measure of physical injury that the opponent is unable to continue, or which at least can be seen to be significantly greater than is received in return." The organisation wants combat sports and martial arts to be completely outlawed for under 18s and for boxing to be banned at the Games.[/quote] [url]http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-04/ama-calls-for-ban-on-boxing-at-olympics-commonwealth-games/6751424[/url] The AMA have been saying some pretty wacky stuff recently. Frankly they should stick to doctoring and just that. They're almost like a lobby group lobbying outside an area that is none of their business.

So now people can't harm each-other on purpose and with consent? How does that affect anyone besides the participants in such a way that they need to [b]ban[/b] the sports?

[QUOTE]The organisation wants combat sports and martial arts to be completely outlawed for under 18s and for boxing to be banned at the Games.[/QUOTE] That's quite a stretch. They're even trying to outlaw self-defense courses. :V

[QUOTE=download;48612590]The AMA have been saying some pretty wacky stuff recently. Frankly they should stick to doctoring and just that. They're almost like a lobby group lobbying outside an area that is none of their business.[/QUOTE] That's exactly what they're doing. Doctoring. Telling people not to do things is still doctoring. I don't think anyone doubts the inherent dangers of boxing.

Aren't there long term injuries from a career in boxing? Like brain damage at 50 or stuff like that?

[QUOTE=DogGunn;48612948]That's exactly what they're doing. Doctoring. Telling people not to do things is still doctoring. I don't think anyone doubts the inherent dangers of boxing.[/QUOTE] Wouldn't it be more sensible to advocate the usage of protection equipment? Which is already mandatory in the Olympcs. Olympic boxing is a point-by match, people don't get hurt. [QUOTE=Jimmyjohn;48612977]Aren't there long term injuries from a career in boxing? Like brain damage at 50 or stuff like that?[/QUOTE] Only if you take heavy beatings.

[QUOTE=DogGunn;48612948]That's exactly what they're doing. Doctoring. Telling people not to do things is still doctoring. I don't think anyone doubts the inherent dangers of boxing.[/QUOTE] They're not telling people something can potentially be dangerous, they're flat out calling for it to banned.