IOC Defends Allowing Female Boxers at Paris Olympics Amid Gender Controversy

International Olympic Committee (IOC) has staunchly defended its decision to allow Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s double world champion Lin Yu-ting to compete in the Paris Olympics, despite a growing gender row.

Khelif, who secured a rapid victory over Italian Angela Carini in just 46 seconds during the round of 16 welterweight bout on Thursday, and Lin Yu-ting, set to fight later today, face mounting criticism and “aggression” due to what the IOC describes as an arbitrary decision by the International Boxing Association (IBA).

Imane Khelif hit Angela Carini with a solid punch after 30 seconds (Shutterstock)

Both athletes had previously been disqualified from the 2023 World Championships after failing the IBA’s eligibility rules, which prevent athletes with male XY chromosomes from competing in women’s events.

However, the IOC took over the boxing competition for the Paris Games after stripping the IBA of its recognition last year due to governance and financial issues.

Imane Khelif failed a gender eligibility test with the International Boxing Association (IBA) last year (Reuters)

The IOC labeled the IBA’s decision to disqualify Khelif and Lin as arbitrary and pointed to the lack of due process in their exclusion. “These two athletes were the victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA,” the IOC stated. “Towards the end of the IBA World Championships in 2023, they were suddenly disqualified without any due process.”

Algeria’s Imane Khelif leaves after her women’s 66kg preliminaries round of 16 boxing match against Italy’s Angela Carini (Picture: AFP)

The controversy has drawn high-profile opposition, including from author J.K. Rowling and billionaire Elon Musk. The IOC expressed sadness over the abuse directed at Khelif and Lin, reiterating that “every person has the right to practice sport without discrimination.”

The IOC noted that while some sports have set testosterone limits for female competitors, others ban those who have undergone male puberty. Following testing, Khelif and Lin did not meet the eligibility criteria to compete in the female category, according to the IBA’s rules.

As the debate continues, the IOC remains firm in its stance, emphasizing fairness and non-discrimination in sports.