The International Boxing Association (IBA) has responded to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and upheld its decision to disqualify Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting from the 2023 world championship, deeming the action “justified” based on testing outcomes from this year and 2022.
The IBA asserted that World Boxing, which was established as the sport’s governing body after separating from the IOC, has allowed ineligible athletes to participate in their newly announced events. Khelif successfully competed in two World Boxing events earlier this year.
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A divide between Imane Khelif, left, and Lin Yu-Ting. (Getty Images)
“We cannot comprehend why any organization would jeopardize a boxer’s safety with actions that might lead to serious injuries within the ‘Field of Play’ (FOP). The primary duty of a referee in the ring is to ensure the safety of the boxers at all times. How can this be considered feasible when a boxer does not meet the eligibility standards to compete?” the IBA stated.
“The IBA will never endorse mixed-gender boxing matches as we prioritize the safety and well-being of our athletes. We are committed to safeguarding our women and their rights to compete against fair opponents, and we will defend and support them in all situations; their aspirations must never be compromised by organizations reluctant to uphold ethical standards under challenging circumstances.
“The IBA remains firm in its stance and will continue to advocate for all athletes within the framework of the rules.”
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A delegate sits before the association’s logo at the founding congress of the new World Boxing Association. (Arne Dedert/picture alliance via Getty Images)
During Khelif’s disqualification, IBA President Umar Kremlev remarked, “We detected several athletes attempting to deceive their peers into pretending to be women through DNA tests.
“The testing results revealed that they possess XY chromosomes. Those athletes were banned from competition.”
The IOC upheld its position regarding Khelif’s eligibility for the Olympic Games, despite the controversy surrounding Thursday’s match against Angela Carini and Lin’s participation on Friday.
“These two athletes were subjected to an abrupt and unjustified decision by the IBA,” stated the IOC. “As the IBA World Championships 2023 concluded, they were unexpectedly disqualified without any formal process.
“Based on minutes available on the IBA website, this decision was originally made solely by the IBA Secretary General and CEO. The IBA Board ratified the decision later and afterwards requested the establishment of procedures for similar situations in the future to be included in the IBA Regulations. The minutes also indicate that the IBA needs to ‘establish a clear procedure on gender testing.’
The Flag of the International Olympic Committee is raised during the opening ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. (Christophe Petit Tesson/PA Images via Getty Images)
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“The current actions taken against these two athletes are based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was made without following proper procedures – particularly given that these athletes have competed at a high level for many years.”
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