Algerian boxer Imane Khelif won her first match at the Paris Olympics, defeating Italian boxer Angela Carini in just 46 seconds. However, her victory raised questions about her eligibility following her disqualification from a competition outside the Olympics with Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan. Both were disqualified last year after failing gender eligibility tests which suggested they had male chromosomes. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) strongly reaffirmed that Khelif and Yu-ting were eligible to compete in Paris, emphasizing that they are female athletes who have competed in the women’s category for many years. The controversy stemmed from allegations that the boxers did not meet gender eligibility requirements, but the IOC clarified that they met all necessary rules to compete in the 2024 Olympic Games.
The IOC confirmed that Khelif has always competed as a woman, dispelling any rumors about her being intersex or transgender. The IOC emphasized that the boxers are women based on their eligibility, history, and passports. The IOC also explained that the age and gender information for boxers competing in the Paris Olympics is taken from their passports, and both Khelif and Yu-ting have competed in the women’s category for many years. The IOC further clarified that this is not a transgender case and that the athletes have followed all the regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit. The controversy surrounding the eligibility of Khelif and Yu-ting stemmed from their disqualification from the Women’s World Boxing Championships last year after being alleged to have male chromosomes based on DNA tests.
Angela Carini’s withdrawal from her boxing match against Khelif raised additional questions about the validity of the competition. Carini ended the fight abruptly, citing severe pain in her nose as the reason for her exit. She refused to shake hands with Khelif following the bout and later expressed her apologies for not doing so. Despite the controversy surrounding the match, Carini stated that she respects the decision of the IOC to allow Khelif to compete, expressing regret for the misunderstanding. Khelif and Carini’s match brought attention to the scrutiny faced by female athletes in combat sports and the implications of gender eligibility testing.
In response to the criticism and controversy, Khelif is scheduled to compete against Hungary’s Luca Anna Hamori on Saturday, Aug. 3. Lin Yu-ting, who won her match against Sitora Turdibekova of Uzbekistan, is set to face Svetlana Staneva of Bulgaria on Sunday, Aug. 4. Despite the accusations and challenges they have faced, both athletes continue to focus on their upcoming matches and strive to perform at their best in the Paris Olympics. The IOC’s clarification regarding the eligibility of Khelif and Yu-ting underscores the importance of upholding fairness and respect for all athletes, regardless of gender or background, in international competitions. The controversy surrounding the boxers’ participation highlights the ongoing debate surrounding gender eligibility in combat sports and the need for transparency and fairness in the selection process for athletes.
