Two male boxers have been cleared to fight against women at the 2024 Paris Olympics, despite previously failing gender tests.
Imane Khelif, of Algeria, and Lin Yu-Ting, of Taiwan, were previously banned from the world championships after it emerged they were trying to hide their male gender to compete as female.
The pair were disqualified from the Women’s World Boxing Championships in March 2023 in New Delhi, after a series of DNA tests were ordered amid concerns over the sex of some of those taking part.
At the time Umar Kremlev, president of the International Boxing Association (IBA), claimed the tests had proven the athletes – including Khelif and Yu-Ting – had “XY chromosomes,” meaning they are male.
He added that they “uncovered athletes who were trying to fool their colleagues and pretend to be women.”
Nevertheless, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) said Monday that the two male fighters had been given the all-clear to compete against real women.
“All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations,” the IOC said.
Khelif was disqualified after a test found a high level of testosterone, Reuters reported, citing Algerian media.
The boxer told Algerian TV that the decision was part of a “big conspiracy.”
According to AFP, Khelif was told he had “characteristics that mean I can’t box with women.”
The Algerian Olympic Committee said at the time that Khelif was disqualified for “medical reasons.”
Lin’s bronze medal was stripped after he failed to meet the International Boxing Association (IBA) eligibility criteria, which caused an uproar in his camp.
The IBA’ Kremlev explained the decision at the time, according to Russia’s Tass News Agency.
“Based on DNA tests, we identified a number of athletes who tried to trick their colleagues into posing as women,” Kremlev said.
“According to the results of the tests, it was proved that they have XY chromosomes.
“Such athletes were excluded from competition.”
Khelif will fight against Italy’s Angela Carini in the 66-kilogram category and Lin has a first-round bye in the 57-kilogram division.
Meanwhile, legendary American swimmer Nancy Hogshead, who won three golds at the 1984 Games, responded by warning that “gender ideology will get women KILLED.”
In a post on X, Hogshead wrote:
“Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-Ting of Taiwan are scheduled to compete in women’s Olympic boxing – despite being disqualified last year for having XY chromosomes, the male phenotype.
“Let’s remind ourselves that males – however they identify – pack a punch that is 162 percent more powerful than women – THE biggest performance gap between men and women.
“Gender ideology will get women KILLED.”
.@ImaneKhelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-Ting of Taiwan are scheduled to compete in women’s Olympic boxing 🥊— despite being disqualified last year for having XY chromosomes, the male phenotype. Let’s remind ourselves that males – however they identify – pack a punch that is 162% more… https://t.co/ylGAvJ8Mk6 pic.twitter.com/SwnWslvHZ5
— Nancy Hogshead, JD, Oly (@Hogshead3Au) July 29, 2024
One X user added: “Men punching women is now officially an Olympic sport.”
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