The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has defended its decision to allow two boxers, Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan, to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics. Both athletes had previously failed gender and testosterone eligibility tests at the 2023 World Championships.
As with previous Olympic boxing competitions, the gender and age of the athletes are based on their passport – IOC
Background
- Disqualifications:
- Imane Khelif: Disqualified from the 2023 World Championships for high testosterone levels.
- Lin Yu-ting: Also disqualified for failing to meet gender criteria.
- Statements from Authorities:
- Umar Kremlev, President of Amateur Boxing, confirmed that DNA tests showed the boxers had XY chromosomes.
IOC’s Position
The IOC emphasized that every person has the right to practice sport without discrimination. The athletes participating in the Paris 2024 boxing tournament comply with eligibility and medical regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU).
The IOC highlighted that the same rules applied during the qualification period, which included several major games and tournaments. The PBU used Tokyo 2020 boxing rules to develop its regulations for Paris 2024 to ensure consistency and minimize the impact on athletes’ preparations.
Misleading Information
The IOC addressed reports containing misleading information about the two athletes, noting that both had been competing in international women’s boxing competitions for many years. The IOC claimed that their sudden disqualification by the International Boxing Association (IBA) in 2023 was arbitrary and lacked due process.
We have seen in reports misleading information about two female athletes competing at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The two athletes have been competing in international boxing competitions for many years in the women’s category, including the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships and IBA-sanctioned tournaments.
Commitment to Fairness
The IOC reiterated its commitment to protecting the human rights of all athletes and condemned the abuse faced by the two athletes. The IOC also called for any changes in eligibility rules to follow appropriate processes and be based on scientific evidence.
Future of Boxing in Olympics
The IOC has withdrawn recognition of the IBA and called for National Boxing Federations to reach a consensus around a new International Federation to include boxing in the Olympic Games LA28 sports program
