Controversial Gender Tests in Boxing Slammed by IOC

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has condemned the gender tests conducted on two female boxers by the International Boxing Association (IBA), calling them illegitimate. Despite being disqualified at the 2023 World Championships, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting have been cleared to compete at the Paris Olympics. The IOC criticizes the IBA for its arbitrary testing methods and ongoing disputes, including paying prize money to Italy's Angela Carini.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has condemned the gender tests conducted by the International Boxing Association (IBA) on two female fighters during last year's world championships. The IOC labeled the tests, which led to the fighters' disqualification, as illegitimate and lacking credibility.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, both cleared to compete in the Paris Olympics, were initially disqualified during the 2023 World Championships for failing a gender eligibility test. The IOC argued that these tests were conducted arbitrarily and only at the end of the competition.

The controversy intensified after Khelif’s dominant performance led to social media backlash and further disputes between the IBA and IOC. The IBA’s decision to pay Italy's Angela Carini $50,000 in prize money exacerbated tensions. Both Khelif and Lin have since advanced to the semi-finals in their respective weight categories for the Paris Olympics.