The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has placed gender testing at the centre of a controversy with two female boxers fighting in the women's division: Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) said in 2023 that Khelif and Lin were disqualified from the tournament for testing positive for “XY chromosomes” and has maintained that both fighters have an unfair advantage in the women's division.
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Imane Khelif, right, from Algeria and Anna Hamori from Hungary wrestle each other. (Sina Schuldt/Picture Alliance via Getty Images)
But IOC spokesman Mark Adams said Khelif and Lin were “taken out and examined” during the 2023 world boxing championships because “there were suspicions against them”.
“There are a whole host of reasons why we're not going to address this,” Adams said. “Partly, confidentiality. Partly, medical issues. Partly, there was no basis for the test in the first place. And partly, sharing data like this is also against norms, international norms.”
“The entire process is flawed. From the conception of the test, to how it was shared with us, to how it was made public, it is so flawed that it is impossible to analyze it.”
The IBA defended its decision to disqualify Khelif and Lin in a statement on Thursday.
Imane Khelif celebrates after defeating Anna Hamori at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 3, in Paris. (AP Photo/John Locher)
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“We do not understand at all why an organisation would put a boxer at risk with something that could lead to a serious injury on the 'field of play' (FOP),” the IBA said. “The referee's primary role in the ring is to manage the boxer's safety at all times. How is this reasonably possible when a boxer does not meet the eligibility criteria to compete?
“The IBA will never support any boxing match between the sexes, as the organisation prioritises the safety and well-being of our athletes. We are protecting our women and their rights to compete in the ring against equal opponents, and we will defend and support them at all times; their hopes and dreams must never be taken away by organisations unwilling to do the right thing in difficult circumstances.”
Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan celebrates after defeating Svetlana Staneva of Bulgaria at the 2024 Summer Olympics, Sunday, Aug. 4, in Paris. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubillos)
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Khelif and Lin have both advanced to the next round of their competition and are both guaranteed medals at the Olympics.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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