The IOC's decision early yesterday to allow women to box at London in 2012 and beyond means that for the first time men and women have equal standing at the world's biggest sporting event. There are now no sports where women are not allowed to compete, although there are disciplines within swimming (synchronised) and gymnastics (rhythmic) which exclude men. Overall the scales are tipping towards 50-50 participation across all 26 sports.

The IOC's decision will be celebrated by thousands of women in boxing strongholds such as Russia and China, but also in gyms across Australia, where women are still a rare sight.

The Underground Gym in the industrial outskirts of Queanbeyan is such a place. As you step in, you find yourself in an environment immediately familiar, even if you've never entered a boxing gym in your life.

Speed balls and punching bags by one side, a workout ring by the other, hip hop music playing on a stereo. A dozen or so guys in various stages of training. It's the kind of earthy scene depicted in just about every boxing movie you've seen.

In the middle of it is 16-year-old Adriana Smith, wrapping her hands in pink tape. She's chatting with a few of the blokes before jumping in to spar with her coach Garry Hamilton.

To the Hawker College Year11 student, who followed her dad into the sport, the gym is still a place where she feels conspicuous.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times