The International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, Thomas Bach, has defended the right of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwanese double world champion Lin Yu-ting to compete at the Paris Olympics, despite a gender dispute that has marred their recent competitions. The pair were cleared to compete in Paris after being disqualified from the 2023 World Championships for failing International Boxing Association (IBA) eligibility rules that restrict athletes with male XY chromosomes from competing in women’s events. The IOC stripped the IBA of its status as boxing’s governing body last year due to governance issues and assumed responsibility for the boxing competition at Paris 2024.
Bach asserted that there is no doubt about Khelif and Lin Yu-ting’s identity as women, emphasizing that they were born, raised, and have competed as women. He labeled the IBA’s decision to disqualify them as arbitrary and a major contributing factor to the controversy that has erupted on social media, with prominent figures like J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk expressing opposition to their participation in the Games.
Khelif’s impressive performance in the round of 16, where she dominated Angela Carini before the Italian athlete retired after 46 seconds, further fueled the debate. The IBA, in a move widely perceived as a response to the criticism, pledged to pay $50,000 in prize money to the defeated Carini.
Bach characterized the IBA’s stance as part of a ‘defamation campaign,’ accusing the Russian-led organization of targeting France, the Games, and the IOC. He declined to elaborate on specific comments made by the IBA, but highlighted the inflammatory remarks by IBA president Umar Kremlev, a Russian businessman, directed at Bach and the IOC for their decision to allow Khelif and Lin Yu-ting to compete.
The IOC president urged respect for the athletes, both as women and as human beings, stating that the right to compete in women’s competitions is a fundamental human right. Khelif’s father, Amar, expressed pride in his daughter and voiced confidence in her ability to win a medal for Algeria.
Bach affirmed the IOC’s commitment to keeping boxing in the Olympics due to its social importance, particularly for underprivileged communities. He stressed the need for a new global body to govern boxing, acknowledging that the current situation demands reform. He highlighted boxing’s global reach and its ability to offer opportunities to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, both on and off the field. He cited Khelif as an example of how boxing empowers women, emphasizing the significance of her presence at the Games, given her commitment to women’s rights in her country.
The ongoing controversy over Khelif and Lin Yu-ting’s participation underscores the complex issues surrounding gender identity and sport, raising questions about the role of governing bodies in regulating participation and ensuring fairness while upholding athletes’ rights.
