Two boxers who previously failed a gender eligibility test are set to take part in the women’s division at the Olympic Games in Paris.
Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan were both disqualified from the 2023 World Championships in New Delhi, India, after tests revealed they both had XY chromosomes, and thus were not women.
The competition had been organized by the International Boxing Association (IBA), which formerly ran Olympic competitions as well. This changed prior to the games amid questions over governance at the IBA.
As a result, boxing will now be overseen by the International Olympic Committee’s Paris Boxing Unit (PBU) where eligibility requirements are more relaxed. Because of this, Khelif and Lin are permitted to take part in the female category despite previously failing a gender eligibility test.
“The PBU used the Tokyo 2020 boxing rules (enforced at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and the related qualifying tournaments) as a baseline to develop its regulations. Those rules descended from the Rio 2016 rules,” the IOC said in a statement. “The PBU endeavored to restrict amendments to minimize the impact on athletes’ preparation and guaranteeing consistency between Olympic Games.”
Footage of Khelif’s ability (seen below) has raised concerns among many, with Riley Gaines saying that it “glorifies men punching women in the face with the intent of knocking them unconscious.”
“A woman is going to die,” she added.
Many on social media called other athletes to boycott the competition.
Others raised concerns over promoting man-on-woman abuse.
There were also calls for men to call out the decision.
