"Men and women are not "equal" in physical strength, no matter how fit or well trained they may be."

I recall similar sexist arguments being made in the past by those attempting to keep women out of the police, firefighting and other such carreers. These arguments have all been found unsound when women entered these fields, bringing their unique skills and perspectives into most traditional areas of the workforce.

When my son went through basic training in the military a few years ago, it was alongside quite a few women, who did just as well as their male counterparts. In fact, many of the "out of shape" males did not do so well.