1-8-2024 (PARIS) In a move that has sparked debate within the boxing community, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has given the green light for two boxers, previously disqualified from world championships due to gender eligibility issues, to compete in the Paris Olympics.
Algerian Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting of Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), both barred from the 2023 world championships, are set to enter the Olympic ring this week. Khelif is slated to face Italy’s Angela Carini in the 66kg category, while Lin is expected to compete in the 57kg category on Friday.
This decision has not been without its critics. Former world champion Barry McGuigan expressed his dismay on social media platform X, stating, “It’s shocking that they were actually allowed to get this far, what is going on?”
The controversy stems from last year’s world championships, conducted under the International Boxing Association (IBA). IBA President Umar Kremlev told Russian news agency Tass that DNA tests had “proved they had XY chromosomes and were thus excluded from the sports events.” The IBA maintained that their decision followed a “comprehensive review” aimed at upholding “fairness and integrity” in competition.
However, the landscape has shifted since then. The IBA has been barred from overseeing Olympic boxing in Paris due to longstanding governance issues and judging scandals. Instead, the IOC’s Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU) is at the helm, operating under more lenient regulations.
The IOC defended its stance, explaining that the PBU had based its rules on those used in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which in turn were derived from the Rio 2016 guidelines. They emphasised their aim to “minimise the impact on athletes’ preparation and guaranteeing consistency between Olympic Games.”
Intriguingly, the IOC’s own internal system, MyInfo, acknowledges the gender eligibility issues faced by both boxers last year. It notes that Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 world championships final due to elevated testosterone levels, while Lin was stripped of her bronze medal for failing to meet eligibility requirements based on biochemical test results.
While Lin has remained silent on the matter, AFP reported that Khelif claimed to be the victim of a “big conspiracy” following her disqualification at last year’s world championships.
