THE International Olympic Committee rued the abuse Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-Ting of Chinese Taipei are receiving as it explained the decision to declare them eligibile to compete as women boxers in the Paris Olympics.
The Olympic boxing competition has been plunged into controversy over Khelif’s opening win over Italy’s Angela Carini, who quit just 46 seconds in after a hard shot to the nose. She later cried while kneeling in the middle of the ring.
Khelif soon became a target of hatred, especially after it came to light that she and Lin were allowed to compete in Paris as females despite failing gender tests in last year’s International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships.
READ Petecio's rival gets IOC clearance despite failed gender test
The IBA has long been stripped of recognition by the IOC, which designated the Paris Boxing Unit to run the boxing competitions in the Olympics.
In a statement, the IOC said all boxers in the Paris Olympics as well as in the qualification tournaments complied with the regulations of the PBU, which states that the gender of an athlete is based on what is indicated in his or her passport.
“Every person has the right to practise sport without discrimination,” the statement read.
In contrast to some sentiments over social media, the IOC said Khelif and Lin were victims after they were disqualified from the IBA-run world championships.
Citing IBA’s minutes found on its website, the IOC said the decision to disqualify Khelif and Lin did not follow due process as it was made by the IBA secretary general and CEO, and only ratified by the board after a request that a procedure be followed for future similar cases.
The IOC said the IBA even recognized that it should “establish a clear procedure on gender testing” following the decision.
'Victims of arbitrary decision'
“These two athletes were the victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA. Towards the end of the IBA World Championships in 2023, they were suddenly disqualified without any due process,” the statement read.
“Such an approach is contrary to good governance,” the statement continued.
The IOC said Khelif and Lin have been competing as female boxers in the Olympics and other IBA-sanctioned tournaments prior to the 2023 decision.
Lin lost to the Philippines' Nesthy Petecio in the Tokyo Olympics three years ago.
“Eligibility rules should not be changed during ongoing competition, and any rule change must follow appropriate processes and should be based on scientific evidence,” said the IOC.
“The IOC is committed to protecting the human rights of all athletes participating in the Olympic Games as per the Olympic Charter, the IOC Code of Ethics and the IOC Strategic Framework on Human Rights. The IOC is saddened by the abuse that the two athletes are currently receiving,” the statement read.
The IOC reiterated that the future of boxing in the 2028 Olympics rest on the National Olympic Committees and a consensus around a new international federation.
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