The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has slammed the controversy over the gender testing of two boxers competing in the women’s division, Imane Kheriff and Lin Yuting.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) announced that Kheriff and Lynn were disqualified from the tournament in 2023 after testing positive for “XY chromosomes”, claiming that both fighters had an unfair advantage in the women’s division.
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The match will feature Imane Kherif (right) from Algeria and Anna Hamori from Hungary. (Sheena Schulte/Photo Alliance via Getty Images)
But IOC spokesman Mark Adams said Khelif and Lin were “taken in and tested” during the 2023 World Boxing Championships because “there were suspicions about them”.
“There are a number of reasons why we are not addressing this,” Adams said. “Some of it is confidential. Some of it is medical. Some of it is because there was no basis for testing in the first place. And some of it is because sharing this data would be a flagrant violation of international rules.”
“The entire process is flawed. From how the tests were conceived to how the tests were shared with us to how the tests were made public, it’s so flawed it’s impossible to engage with.”
In a statement on Thursday, the IBA defended its decision to disqualify Khelife and Lin.
Imane Kherif celebrates after defeating Anna Hamori at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Saturday, August 3, 2024. (AP Photo/John Rocker)
Former Olympian says boxer at centre of gender eligibility debate ‘should not be treated this way’
“It is simply incomprehensible why any organisation would put a boxer at risk within the field of play (FOP) with behaviour that could result in serious injury,” the IBA said. “The referee’s primary role in the ring is to supervise the safety of the boxers at all times. How is this reasonably practicable when a boxer is not eligible to compete?”
“The IBA puts the safety and health of athletes first and will never support boxing matches between men and women. We protect women and their right to compete in the ring against equals and will defend and support them at all times. Their hopes and dreams should never be taken away by an organisation that is unwilling to do the right thing in difficult circumstances.”
Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting celebrates after defeating Bulgaria’s Svetlana Staneva at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Sunday, August 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Ariana Cubilos)
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Both Khelif and Lin have advanced to the next round and are guaranteed medals at the Olympics.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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