Bulgarian Olympic boxer Svetlana Staneva intensified the gender eligibility debate on Sunday after her defeat by Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting in the women’s 57-kilogram category.
Staneva was defeated by Lin through a unanimous decision. Lin progresses to the semifinals, securing at least a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics.
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Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, left, competes against Bulgaria’s Svetlana Staneva at the Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
The Taiwanese boxer has been embroiled in a gender eligibility dispute. The International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified Lin from the 2023 world championships for testing positive for “XY chromosomes.” The IBA has stood by its decision, asserting Lin holds an unfair competitive advantage.
As the controversy grows, Staneva seemingly contributed to it with a gesture post-match. She appeared to point to herself while forming an “X” with her fingers, leading Olympic fans to speculate she was indicating a double “X” to signify her XX chromosomes, affirming her female identity.
The Daily Mail and various social media users highlighted Staneva’s gesture.
FORMER OLYMPIAN STATES BOXERS IN GENDER ELIGIBILITY DEBATE ‘DO NOT DESERVE THIS MISTREATMENT’
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has supported the participation of Lin and Algerian Imane Khelif in the women’s boxing category. IOC President Thomas Bach stated that the scrutiny surrounding their gender eligibility is akin to “hate speech.”
Svetlana Staneva strikes Lin Yu-ting during their match at the Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024, in Paris. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
“We will not participate in a politically charged… cultural war,” Bach stated while attempting to diffuse the scrutiny.
“What is happening in this context on social media with all the hate speech, aggression, and abuse, driven by this agenda, is entirely unacceptable.”
Bach affirmed that both Khelif and Lin are women.
Lin Yu-ting celebrates her victory over Svetlana Staneva on the ninth day of the Olympic Games at the North Paris Arena in Villepinte, France, on Aug. 4, 2024. (Mehmet Murat Onel/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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“Both boxers were born female, raised as women, hold female passports, and have competed as women for many years,” he added. “Some individuals wish to monopolize the definition of what constitutes a woman.”
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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