The Paris Olympics has been engulfed in controversy due to the participation of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif. The boxer, who was disqualified from the 2023 World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) due to unspecified eligibility test results, was cleared to compete at the Games by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
This decision has ignited a fierce debate, with the IBA defending its stance on eligibility and safety concerns, while the IOC maintains that Khelif and fellow boxer Lin Yu-ting, who faced similar circumstances, meet the criteria for female competition.
The IOC is in charge of running the boxing tournament in Paris after the IBA was stripped of its status as the global governing body for boxing last year due to failures in governance, finance, and ethical reforms.
Khelif‘s rapid victory over Italian opponent Angela Carini sparked further controversy, with Carini claiming she stopped the fight to protect her health. However, Khelif’s father insisted his daughter’s triumph was a testament to her strength and skill.
The IOC has firmly backed Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, both of whom were disqualified by the IBA, asserting that they meet the criteria to compete as women. IOC President Thomas Bach condemned the “hate speech” surrounding the issue and emphasized the importance of respecting the athletes.
“There was never any doubt that Khelif and Yu-ting are women,” Bach stated in strong defense of the boxers. “We have two boxers who were born as women, who have been raised as women, who have passports as women, and who have competed for many years as women. This is the clear definition of a woman. There was never any doubt about them being women.”
Bach emphasised that the controversy is “not a transgender issue.” He added, “The IOC framework, which is scientifically based, applies to all federations. This is about a woman taking part in a woman’s competition. I would only like to ask everybody to respect these women, respect them as women, and respect them as human beings.”
Carini apologised for her post-fight reaction and told the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, “All this controversy makes me sad. I’m sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.”
The IBA has defended its decision to ban both boxers as “justified” and based on safety concerns, criticizing the IOC for its “inconsistencies in eligibility.” The IBA also announced it would award Carini the prize money she would have won had she become Olympic champion, offering $50,000 (£39,000) to any boxer who won a gold medal at the Games.
IBA President Umar Kremlev has also commented on the situation. “I couldn’t look at her tears,” Kremlev said in a statement. “I am not indifferent to such situations, and I can assure that we will protect each boxer. I do not understand why they kill women’s boxing. Only eligible athletes should compete in the ring for the sake of safety.”
Both Khelif and Lin Yu-ting are seasoned boxers with established records on the international stage. Khelif, a veteran of the sport, made her Olympic debut at Tokyo 2020, reaching the quarterfinals before falling to eventual gold medalist Kellie Harrington. Her career trajectory saw a significant upward trend, culminating in a World Championship final appearance in 2022. Despite a loss to Amy Broadhurst, the Algerian boxer demonstrated her prowess and potential.
Lin’s boxing journey is equally impressive. Her career highlights include a close defeat to Nicola Adams in the 2016 World Championships and consistent medal placements in subsequent tournaments. However, her path to success has been marred by the recent controversies surrounding gender eligibility tests.
Both boxers have faced unexpected setbacks due to the IBA’s disqualification decisions, casting a shadow over their exceptional athletic achievements.
At the heart of the controversy lies a fundamental question: What defines a woman in the context of sports competition? The IOC has firmly rejected the notion that this is a transgender issue, insisting that Khelif and Lin meet the established criteria for female athletes.
As the boxing world grapples with this complex issue, it is clear that the debate over gender eligibility will continue to shape the future of the sport.
