Source: BBC News
Introduction
Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting have been cleared to compete at the Paris Olympics despite being disqualified from last year’s World Championships after they were said to have failed gender eligibility tests. Khelif, 25, is through to the quarter-finals of the women’s 66kg category after beating Italy’s Angela Carini, while Lin reached the last eight of the women’s 57kg category with victory over Uzbekistan’s Sitora Turdibekova. Their participation in the Games has proved controversial given their disqualifications in 2023.
Quick Summary
- Incident: Controversy over Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting’s participation in the Paris Olympics.
- Disqualification History: Both athletes were disqualified from the 2023 World Championships for failing gender eligibility tests.
- Current Participation: Khelif advanced to the quarter-finals, and Lin reached the last eight in their respective categories.
- Criticism: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) faced criticism for allowing their participation.
Detailed Breakdown
What Sex Was Khelif Assigned at Birth?
Khelif has always competed in the women’s division and is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as a female athlete. IOC spokesperson Mark Adams clarified that Khelif was born female, registered female, and has lived her life as a female. This is not a transgender case, and scientifically, it is not a situation of a man fighting a woman.
Khelif’s Boxing Career to Date
Khelif, 25, has been boxing for eight years. She made her debut on the world amateur stage at 19 and competed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where she reached the quarter-finals. Khelif won a silver medal at the 2022 World Championships and has earned gold medals at the 2022 African Championships, 2022 Mediterranean Games, and 2023 Arab Games.
Why Was Khelif’s Win Against Carini Controversial?
Khelif’s victory over Italy’s Angela Carini, who conceded the fight after 46 seconds, attracted controversy due to Khelif’s disqualification at the 2023 World Championships for failing a gender eligibility test. The International Boxing Association (IBA) claimed Khelif failed to meet the eligibility criteria for participating in the women’s competition. However, the IOC raised doubts over the accuracy and protocol of the IBA’s tests.
Changes in Olympic Boxing Regulation and Governance
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) suspended the IBA in 2019 due to governance and ethical concerns. The IOC took over the organization of Olympic boxing for the Tokyo Olympics and stripped the IBA of its status as the sport’s world governing body in 2023. The IOC’s framework on ‘Fairness, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination on the Basis of Gender Identity and Sex Variations’ supports the participation of any athlete who has qualified and met eligibility criteria.
Testing in Boxing
The International Testing Agency (ITA) manages doping control at the Olympics, and tests include determining an athlete’s testosterone levels. However, testosterone tests are not the sole determinant of eligibility, as many women naturally have higher testosterone levels than some men.
Transgender Debate
There is no suggestion that Khelif identifies as transgender or intersex. The controversy centers around gender eligibility tests and their accuracy.
What People Are Saying
- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni: “It matters to be able to compete on equal grounds, and it was not an even contest.”
- Steve Bunce, 5Live Commentator: “It’s an absolute disaster and has hurt Olympic boxing at a crucial time.”
- Chris Roberts, CEO of IBA: “If eligibility criteria suggest a person is not fit to be within the female category, it is not fair.”
- Mark Adams, IOC Spokesperson: “We should address the issues and think about the real damage caused by misinformation.”
- Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport: “There is a lot of concern about whether we are getting the balance right in sports.”
The controversy surrounding Khelif and Lin’s participation highlights ongoing debates about gender eligibility and the integrity of sports competitions.