IOC Supports Boxers in Gender Controversy

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) reaffirmed on Thursday that the female boxers competing in its events, including Algerian Imane Khelif, meet all eligibility and medical regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit. This statement follows Khelif's recent victory over Italy’s Angela Carini, which has ignited significant debate on social media regarding the appropriateness of her participation. Critics argue that Khelif should not have been allowed to compete due to findings from the International Boxing Association (IBA) indicating she possesses "XY chromosomes," suggesting a competitive advantage. The IBA's announcement, which deemed both Khelif and her opponent ineligible, has drawn sharp criticism from the IOC. The IOC emphasized that the eligibility of athletes is determined by their passport details, a practice consistent with previous Olympic boxing events. They highlighted that both Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting have participated in numerous international competitions, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, without issue until the IBA's recent ruling. The IOC accused the IBA of making an arbitrary decision that lacked proper procedural backing, noting that the ruling was initially made by the IBA Secretary General and later ratified by the Board. The IOC called for the establishment of clear procedures regarding gender testing, asserting that the current backlash against Khelif and Lin is unfounded and based on a sudden policy shift. As the controversy unfolds, Lin is scheduled to compete on Friday, while Khelif will return to the ring on Saturday, amidst ongoing discussions about gender eligibility in sports.