- Khelif and Lin Yu-ting were prohibited from competing in last year’s world championships
- The IOC has questioned the timing of the IBA’s recent decision
- Khelif secured a medal after a unanimous decision victory against Hamori
The head of the International Boxing Association has described the competition at the Paris Games as ‘truly terrifying’ and asserted that allowing the gender controversy surrounding boxer Imane Khelif to continue is ‘damaging women’s sports’.
Khelif boldly stated, ‘I am a woman’ after securing a medal through a unanimous decision victory over Anna Luca Hamori on Saturday.
The Algerian welterweight, central to an ongoing Olympic controversy, had been banned from last year’s world championships by the Russian-led IBA for allegedly failing a gender test.
Umar Kremlev, the head of IBA, condemned the choice to permit Khelif and Taiwanese fighter Lin Yu-ting to compete, arguing that their presence is harmful to ‘women’s sports’.
‘It’s disheartening when we proclaim our commitment to gender equality and the protection of women, only to see women’s sports undermined,’ he told Sky News.
Algerian welterweight Imane Khelif (right) claimed victory against Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori on Saturday
The 25-year-old is one of two athletes at the centre of an Olympics storm at the Paris Games
IBA head Umar Kremlev believes the participation of Khelif and Taiwanese fighter Lin Yu-ting is ‘destroying women’s sport’
‘We must not allow this situation to continue. If we stay silent now, it will soon become normalized. This is why our relationship with [the IOC] is deteriorating – because they fail to protect athletes, whereas we do protect them.’
On Friday, the Olympic Committee countered the IBA’s stance, stating that the two athletes are ‘victims of an abrupt and arbitrary decision’.
‘At the conclusion of the IBA World Championships in 2023, they were abruptly disqualified without proper procedure,’ the IOC stated.
‘According to available IBA minutes on their website, this ruling was made solely by the IBA Secretary General and CEO.’
Certain sports have established limits on testosterone levels for athletes competing in women’s events, while others exclude those who have undergone male puberty.
Disorders of Sexual Development (DSDs) represent a cluster of rare conditions linked to genetics, hormones, and reproductive anatomy.
Some individuals with DSDs may be assigned female at birth but possess XY chromosomes and testosterone levels typical of males.
The IOC indicated that the eligibility criteria were based on those used during the Tokyo Games in 2021 and could not be altered mid-competition.
The governing body expressed disappointment at the abuse faced by the two athletes, emphasizing that every individual has the right to participate in sports without discrimination.
Lin Yu-Ting triumphed at the Asian Games last year to secure a place at a second Olympic Games
Khelif’s initial bout in Paris ended in just 46 seconds when Italy’s Angela Carini withdrew in tears, expressing concerns for her safety.
However, on Saturday, Khelif’s tears were those of joy following an impressive performance which attracted roaring support from numerous Algerians, and she was later congratulated by the country’s president, who stated she had ‘honoured Algeria, Algerian women, and Algerian boxing’.
Khelif will face Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng in the semi-finals on Tuesday, and if victorious, she will compete for gold on Friday.
