The success of women’s boxing at the Olympics can inspire women to take up sport, said IOC chief Jacques Rogge who believes the decision to include the discipline in the Games has been vindicated.

The 70-year-old Belgian, who is presiding over his final Games as he steps down in September next year after a 12-year reign, was present at the climax to the women’s boxing event when the first three champions were crowned.

“I think I am very happy,” said Rogge.

“There was a lot of criticism of the level of women’s boxing and of their technique prior to the Games. I think we have been vindicated that it was a good decision and it’s only the beginning.”

Women’s boxing was voted into the Games in 2009 after strong lobbying by International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) president Dr Ching-Kuo Wu.

“This is the most important day in AIBA history,” said 65-year-old Wu.

Rogge could have been forgiven for thinking the competition was taking place in Dublin rather than London as the ExCel arena was covered with Irish flags as fans came to see Katie Taylor take gold in the lightweight division on Thursday.

Taylor, Ireland’s four-time world champion, won the first women’s Olympic lightweight final with a 10-8 win over Russia’s Sofya Ochigava to claim her country’s first London gold.

Having defeated Ochigava in May for her most recent world crown, the 26-year-old Taylor added the Olympic title to a resume that also includes the European title.

“It is unbelievable,” said Taylor, who has said she will consider going professional now that she’s been part of women’s boxing’s Olympic debut in London.

“This is like a dream come true. I always dreamed of becoming an an Olympic champion. It’s amazing to sit here as the European, world and now Olympic champion.”