Boxer Lin Yu-Ting won her Olympic debut on Friday with a decisive points victory, without any controversy.
She faced Uzbekistan’s Sitora Turdibekova in the featherweight division and won all three rounds, including two by unanimous decision.
This was a significant win for Lin, who has faced struggles in her career, with 14 losses and only one knockout in 54 fights.
In contrast, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, initially disqualified from last year’s World Championships due to failed gender eligibility tests, faced backlash after her fight with Italian Angela Carini.
Carini quit the match just 46 seconds into the first round, citing severe discomfort and an inability to breathe after two punches landed. This resulted in significant controversy.
Lin and Khelif had been disqualified from the 2022 World Championships under the Russian-led International Boxing Association (IBA) due to unspecified gender tests.
The decision and subsequent disqualifications led to disputes and widespread debate, with the IOC criticizing theIBA’ss handling of the situation.
However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) cleared both Lin and Khelif to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics, emphasizing that discrimination has no place in sports and condemning the abuse the athletes receive.
The Algerian Olympic Committee also defended Khelif, criticizing what foreign media termed”unethical targeting and malignin” and emphasizing their commitment to protecting her dignity and career.
