The International Boxing Association (IBA) held a press conference on Monday to defend itself over the controversial expulsion of two boxers against claims that the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision was unfair.
According to Russia’s TASS news agency, IBA president Umar Kremlyov explained the organisation’s decision to strip Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting and Algeria’s Imane Kherif of eligibility to compete in the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in 2023. “DNA tests have revealed that several athletes tried to deceive their colleagues by posing as women. The tests proved that they have XY chromosomes. Such athletes have been excluded from competition,” Kremlyov said. Said.
But despite the 2023 disqualifications and the published test results, the IOC ignored the IBA’s findings and allowed Khelif and Lin to compete at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris this year.
The IOC has tried to justify its decision to include the two controversial boxers: It is called He said the IBA’s tests were “illegal” and “lacked credibility.”
The IOC has also opposed the IBA on other matters, stripping it of its status as boxing’s world governing body last year, citing financial and governance issues.
But the IBA defended itself at a press conference on Monday, clarifying that both Lin and Kheriff had undergone gender testing during the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships.
The group said the tests were carried out at an independent laboratory in Istanbul and that both boxers failed the chromosome testing requirements to be classified as female.
The organisation added that both boxers were informed in writing of the test results and given the opportunity to appeal the decision.
Lin did not appeal, while Khelif appealed but soon withdrew his appeal, closing the case.
It’s happening now
The International Boxing Federation is holding a press conference in Paris to discuss the issues surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Kherif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting.
Highlights so far:
*Both boxers initially underwent chromosome testing by… pic.twitter.com/659lwIWjLu
— REDUXX (@ReduxxMag) August 5, 2024
Dr Ioannis Philippatos, former chairman of the IBA Medical Committee and an obstetrician-gynaecologist with 30 years’ experience, gave expert testimony.
“Medicine is knowledge, not opinion. One passport gives you the chance to be a man, and tomorrow when you return to Athens you can go to the government and change your name from Ioannis to Ionia. Does that mean that tomorrow you will become a woman? Please. Nature and the biological world remain unchanged.”
🚨What’s happening right now🚨
The International Boxing Federation is holding a press conference in Paris to discuss the issues surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Kherif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting.
Dr Ioannis Philippatos, former chairman of the IBA Medical Committee and obstetrician-gynaecologist; pic.twitter.com/VC7H5xiSZN
— REDUXX (@ReduxxMag) August 5, 2024
Dr Philippatos, who was heavily criticised by the belligerent media in attendance, spoke frankly about the results of Khelib and Yuting’s gender test.
“The medical results, the blood test results, indicate that the lab determines that this boxer is male.”
Some journalists have been debating Dr Philippatos, demanding further clarification as to whether Ms Kherif and Ms Lin were born female.
“After blood tests, the lab determined these boxers were male.” pic.twitter.com/lgs1vxPeb4
— REDUXX (@ReduxxMag) August 5, 2024
Kheriff has won at least a bronze medal at the Olympics and can claim gold with a win against Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapen on Tuesday. Both Kheriff and Yu-ting have had multiple, comprehensive victories against women, making them medal all-important.
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