Two female boxers, Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan and Imane Khelif of Algeria, have faced scrutiny over their gender identities in recent days. Lin won her first fight at the Paris Olympics against Sitora Turdibekova of Uzbekistan, advancing to the quarterfinals, while Khelif’s opponent Angela Carini of Italy quit 46 seconds into their match. Reports suggest that both boxers failed gender eligibility tests at the Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi last year. Despite this, both have always competed in women’s events, with no indication that they identify as transgender or intersex.
The controversy surrounding Lin and Khelif’s participation has sparked global outrage, with prominent figures such as Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and J.K. Rowling weighing in. The International Boxing Association, which disqualified the boxers last year, has reiterated its decision to bar them from competition. However, the IOC, which determines gender eligibility based on passport markers, supports their participation.
Former President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan and the Algerian Olympic and Sports Committee have defended the boxers, celebrating their wins. The IOC has urged an end to online hate directed at them. Despite the controversy, the boxers are set to compete in the quarterfinals, with Khelif facing Anna Hamori of Hungary and Lin awaiting her opponent’s determination. The IOC’s support and calls for respect towards the boxers emphasize the need to address the individual athletes and their rights to compete.
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