The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has come to the defense of two female boxers caught in a gender eligibility controversy that has rocked the 2024 Summer Games.

 

The dispute centers around Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, who faced significant backlash after failing gender eligibility tests and being disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) during the 2023 World Championships in New Delhi.

 

The controversy intensified on Thursday when Khelif's victory over Italy's Angela Carini, which led to Carini’s withdrawal just 46 seconds into their fight, sparked widespread debate.

 

In response, the IOC issued a statement backing Khelif and Lin, criticizing the IBA’s decision as "arbitrary" and lacking due process. The IOC emphasized that both athletes have competed in international boxing events, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, without prior issues related to their gender eligibility.

 

The IOC reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the eligibility rules for all athletes participating in the Paris Olympics boxing competition. The committee highlighted that all athletes must comply with the established eligibility criteria, including medical regulations set by the Paris Boxing Unit. As with previous Olympic boxing events, the gender and age of athletes are determined based on their passports.

 

The IOC also stressed its dedication to protecting the human rights of all athletes participating in the Olympic Games, in accordance with the Olympic Charter, the IOC Code of Ethics, and the IOC's Strategic Framework on Human Rights.

 

The dispute reflects ongoing tensions between the IOC and the IBA, which has faced criticism for alleged governance and integrity failures. The IOC reiterated that eligibility rules should not be altered mid-competition and must be based on scientific evidence.