In 1948 the BBC's boxing commentator Peter Wilson wrote this in response to learning of Barbara Buttrick's intention to become a boxer: 'What a monstrous, degrading, disgusting idea! Would anyone like to go out with a girl sporting two lovely purplish black eyes? Would any sportsman, or sportswoman, relish the sight of tears, after a stiff punch on the nose, mingling with mascara?"
In 2012, yesterday in fact, the BBC's boxing commentator Steve Bunce wrote this: "Nicola Adams is the first women's Olympic boxing champion, but there is more to the fight than just her name. It was a quality fight, it was as good as it gets. That was beautiful to watch.'
So, while it's taken 64 years to get to the answer I think in summary Steve is answering 'yes' to Peter's question. I'm not sure if any mascara was worn by either fighter but since Ms Adams came out of the match with a gold medal, I think the answer to that is 'who gives a monkey's?'.
I've no doubt Adams continues to encounter jibes, bullying and general unease from the less evolved among us. Certainly Gary Lineker's interview comment last night 'you've got a lovely smile, Nicola' confirms the BBC itself is still wavering on the topic (I've complained to the BBC and will post their response when it arrives) but when the last woman on Earth looks around and makes a final tally of our wins and losses, I have no doubt the nuclear shadow of Nicola Adams will remain scorched, left hook first, in a room all her own.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/olympics/19202678
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