"Shambolic" IBA Press Conference Raises More Confusion Over Olympic Boxing Controversy
The International Boxing Association (IBA) held a chaotic press conference on Monday, attempting to address the eligibility controversy overshadowing the 2024 Olympic boxing competition.
Where did the controversy start?
The confusion revolves around Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, who both guaranteed at least bronze medals in Paris despite being disqualified from the 2023 Women's World Championships by the IBA over gender eligibility tests. The speculation started following Khelif’s victory against Angela Carini last week after Carini withdrew 46 seconds into the bout.
Press conference described as “shambolic” press leave with more questions than answers
The IBA, stripped of its status as boxing's governing body by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2019 due to governance concerns, called a press conference to clarify the situation. However, the press conference, described as "chaotic” and “shambolic," by Sky Sports reporter Geraint Hughes, left more questions than answers. Hughes noted the event started an hour late, was plagued by technical glitches, and featured shouting matches among attendees.
Hughes said that, even though they had been told by the IBA that they would receive a detailed explanation of why Khelif and Lin Yu-ting had been banned from boxing at the IBA World Championships in Delhi in 2023, nobody in the room received any explanation at all.
IBA higher ups provide conflicting information
IBA president Umar Kremlev and chief executive Chris Roberts provided contradictory accounts of the disqualifications. Roberts claimed in the press conference that the fighters underwent chromosome tests in 2022 after the World Championships in Istanbul with "inconclusive" results but were deemed "ineligible" in 2023 when the tests were repeated.
However, in an interview with BBC Sport's Ade Adedoyin, he claims that the tests in 2022 and 2023 both gave results that made them ineligible to compete, and that they were inconclusive, adding further confusion.
Kremlev, however, said the tests measured testosterone levels and accused the fighters of having "high levels of testosterone, like men," further muddling the situation. Kremlev also continued his criticism of IOC president Thomas Bach, saying that if the boxers "want to prove they were born women, they have to do it by themselves".
The IBA has stated that the tests were sent to two different laboratories accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). However, the WADA has since spoken on the situation, saying to BBC Sport that it does not oversee gender tests and it only works on anti-doping matters.
IOC continue to support Khelif and Lin
Khelif and Lin's disqualification from the IBA World Championships in New Delhi remains controversial. The IOC criticized the IBA's decision as "arbitrary" and "without any proper procedure," expressing support for the athletes.
"These athletes have been competing in senior competitions for six years with no issues," said IOC spokesperson Mark Adams, defending Khelif and Lin's inclusion in the Olympics. The IOC maintains that eligibility is determined by the athlete's passport, which states they are female.
Khelif calls for an end to malicious attacks
Despite the disarray, Khelif called for an end to "bullying" and reaffirmed her identity. "I want to tell the entire world that I am a female, and I will remain a female," she stated. Algeria’s Olympic Committee has condemned the "malicious and unethical attacks" on Khelif by foreign media. Lin and the Taiwanese Olympic Committee have not commented.
Towards the end of the press conference, members of the Algerian Olympic delegation, including Khelif's best friend and fellow boxer Roumaysa Boualam, protested in support of Khelif. Boualam passionately defended Khelif's right to compete, highlighting her lifelong identity as a female.
The chaotic press conference has only deepened the controversy and further damaged the IBA's reputation. With the IOC's firm stance on the athletes' eligibility and the IBA's contradictory explanations, the situation remains unresolved.
