Algerian boxer Imane Khelif won her first match at the Paris Olympics by defeating Italian boxer Angela Carini in a fight that lasted just 46 seconds. However, controversy arose when reports resurfaced that Khelif and another boxer, Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan, were disqualified from the Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi last year after failing to meet gender eligibility tests. The disqualification stemmed from alleged test results suggesting they had male chromosomes. Despite this, the International Olympic Committee confirmed that the two athletes were eligible to compete in Paris and emphasized that they have always competed as women and are not intersex or transgender.
The IOC updated its gender eligibility guidelines in 2021, deferring to each sport’s governing body for transgender athlete participation. In the case of boxing, the IOC no longer defers to the International Boxing Association and instead follows the guidelines of the ad-hoc Paris 2024 Boxing Unit. The IOC statement highlighted that the two athletes have been competing in the women’s category for many years, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and various international boxing competitions. Age and gender information is taken from the boxers’ passports for eligibility at the Paris Olympics.
Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting were disqualified from previous competitions based on allegations from the president of the IBA, Umar Kremlev, who claimed that their DNA test results indicated male chromosomes. However, the IOC disagreed with the IBA’s conclusion and denounced the treatment the athletes received. Khelif responded, calling the disqualification a conspiracy against Algeria winning a gold medal. Angela Carini walked out of her boxing match with Khelif, citing severe pain in her nose. She later expressed her apologies and respect for the IOC’s decision to allow Khelif to compete.
Despite the controversy, Khelif is scheduled to compete against Hungary’s Luca Anna Hamori, while Lin Yu-ting will face Svetlana Staneva of Bulgaria in their upcoming matches. The IOC maintained its stance that the athletes have met all the rules necessary to compete at the 2024 Olympic Games and emphasized that they have always lived as and competed as women. The athletes have continued participating in international boxing competitions and have received support from the IOC amidst the scrutiny and questioning of their eligibility.
