IOC State IBA Tests Are Illegitimate, Imane Khelif To Continue To Fight In Olympics
Two female boxers, Imane Khelif of Algeria and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, continue to compete in the Paris Olympics despite past controversies over gender eligibility tests. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has affirmed their eligibility, stating that the tests conducted by the International Boxing Association (IBA) were illegitimate.
"Those tests are not legitimate tests. The tests themselves, the process of the tests, the ad hoc nature of the tests are not legitimate," said IOC spokesperson Mark Adams.
IOC Takes Over Olympic Boxing After IBA Stripped Of Recognition
The IOC took over the boxing tournament for the Paris Games after stripping the IBA of its recognition due to governance and financial issues. The IOC's eligibility rules, based on those used in the 2016 and 2021 Olympics, do not include gender testing, allowing Khelif and Lin to compete. "These athletes have been competing in senior competitions for six years with no issues," Adams emphasised.
The IBA has not accepted the IOC's decision and continues to challenge it, promising $50,000 in prize money to Carini after her loss to Khelif. This move has only intensified the ongoing dispute between the IBA and the IOC. The IBA's president, Umar Kremlev, has been vocal on social media, criticising the IOC and its president, Thomas Bach.
Khelif and Lin Guaranteed Podium Positions
The controversy has not hindered the athletes' performance in Paris. Khelif swiftly won her round-of-16 welterweight bout against Italy's Angela Carini, who withdrew after just 46 seconds. Lin secured her semifinal spot in the featherweight division, with Taiwan President Lai Ching-te praising her resilience against the slander she faced.
Both boxers have already secured at least a bronze medal. Khelif will face Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng, while Lin will take on Turkey's Esra Kahraman Yildiz. Khelif's father expressed his pride in his daughter, supporting her pursuit of a medal for Algeria.
IOC Focuses On Athletes Rights To Compete Without Discrimination
The IOC remains steadfast in its decision, focusing on the athletes' rights to compete without discrimination. "Every person has the right to practise sport without discrimination," the IOC stated. The organisation is committed to protecting the human rights of all athletes, in line with the Olympic Charter and its Code of Ethics.
As the athletes advance in the competition, the spotlight remains on the integrity of the testing processes and the governance of international boxing. The IOC has urged national boxing federations to form a new global governing body to ensure boxing's inclusion in future Olympics, emphasising the need for proper procedures based on scientific evidence.
In the meantime, Khelif and Lin continue to fight, aiming for gold while representing resilience and determination amidst the controversy.
