The Paris 2024 Olympics has ignited a fresh Olympic boxing gender controversy as Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting compete despite being disqualified from last year’s World Championships over gender eligibility concerns.
Khelif, 25, advanced to the quarter-finals of the women’s 66kg category after a brief about with Italy’s Angela Carini. The match ended abruptly after just 46 seconds when Carini chose to withdraw, later stating she did so to “preserve her life.” Lin also progressed to the last eight in the women’s 57kg category.
The International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to allow their participation has intensified the Olympic boxing gender controversy, drawing criticism from various quarters. The International Boxing Agency (IBA), former organizers of Olympic boxing, has vocally opposed the decision.
High-profile figures have also weighed in on the controversy. Author J.K. Rowling shared her concerns on social media, criticizing what she perceives as a “misogynist sporting establishment.” Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), endorsed a post claiming “men don’t belong in women’s sports.“
The IOC has defended its stance, stating, “Everyone competing in the women’s category is complying with the competition eligibility rules. They are women in their passports and it is stated that is the case, that they are female.“
Khelif, a born female, addressed the situation after her victory, saying, “I’m here for the gold – I fight everybody.” She is set to face Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori in her next match.
Carini, who initially ended the fight in tears, later apologized to Khelif and refrained from criticizing her placement in the women’s competition. She told the press, “I wish her to carry on until the end and that she can be happy. I am someone who doesn’t judge anyone.“
The Olympic boxing gender controversy highlights ongoing debates surrounding gender eligibility in sports and the complex challenges facing international sporting bodies in creating fair and inclusive competitions.
As the Olympics continue, the participation of Khelif and Lin remains a topic of intense discussion, balancing issues of fairness, inclusion, and the evolving understanding of gender in sports.
