"This Boxer Is Male": International Boxing Association Addresses Olympic Gender Controversy

Press Conference Announcement

The International Boxing Association (IBA) held a press conference on Monday to clarify that two boxers competing in the women's category at the Olympics are biologically male, as per the results of a previous gender chromosome test.

Controversy Surrounding the Boxers

The boxers in question, Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan and Imane Khelif from Algeria, have both advanced to the semi-finals of the women's boxing in Paris. However, they were previously disqualified from competing in the women's category by the IBA due to their test results.

CEO's Statement

At the press conference, IBA CEO Chris Roberts stated that independent laboratory tests conducted in Istanbul in 2022 confirmed the presence of XY chromosomes in both boxers, making them ineligible for the women's category. Both Khelif and Yu-ting were informed of their test results and given the opportunity to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, with IBA offering to cover the costs. Yu-ting chose not to appeal, while Khelif initially appealed but later withdrew.

Re-testing and Confirmation

Both boxers were re-tested in India during the 2023 Women's World Boxing Championships, and the results were consistent with the previous findings.

Medical Committee's Stand

Dr. Ioannis Filippatos, the former Chair of the IBA Medical Committee, was also present at the press conference. He firmly stated that the boxers should not be competing as women, emphasizing that medical knowledge is not a matter of opinion. He further explained that changing one's name or passport does not alter biological realities.

Journalists' Reactions

Filippatos' comments sparked agitation among some journalists, who demanded further clarification on whether Khelif and Lin were born female. However, Filippatos reiterated that he was merely relaying the findings of the medical tests.

IOC's Response

Despite the controversy, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) continues to recognize the fighters as women. IOC spokesperson Mark Adams stated that the athletes have been competing in senior competitions for six years without any issues and remain eligible for the current contest. He dismissed the credibility of the IBA's gender tests, stating that they had no bearing on the eligibility of the boxers.

Upcoming Matches

Khelif is set to compete in the Welterweight semi-final later today, while Yu-ting will participate in the Featherweight semi-final tomorrow.

Bottom Line

This situation raises complex questions about gender identity and eligibility in sports, highlighting the need for clear and consistent guidelines. What are your thoughts on this issue? Don't forget to share this article with your friends and engage in the discussion. Remember, you can sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is delivered every day at 6pm.