Paris 2024: IOC Claims IBA Gender Tests on Two Boxers Were Flawed

The gender tests conducted by the International Boxing Association (IBA) on two female fighters at last year’s world championships were deemed illegitimate and unreliable by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the IOC announced on Sunday. Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s double world champion Lin Yu-ting, who were disqualified at the 2023 World Championships due to the IBA’s gender eligibility tests, have been cleared to compete at the Paris Olympics.

The IOC criticized the testing process, noting it was conducted arbitrarily towards the end of the competition, after the boxers had already participated in several bouts. “Those tests are not legitimate. The tests themselves, the process, the ad hoc nature of the tests are not legitimate,” IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said during a press conference. “The method and idea of the testing, which happened overnight, are illegitimate and do not warrant a response.”

Last year, the IOC stripped the IBA of its status as boxing’s governing body due to issues with governance and finance. Consequently, the IOC took charge of the boxing competition at the Paris Games, applying eligibility rules from the 2016 and 2021 Olympics.

Khelif’s dominant performance in the round-of-16 welterweight fight against Angela Carini, who withdrew after 46 seconds following a series of punches from Khelif, sparked a social media uproar. The IBA exacerbated the dispute with the IOC by promising Carini $50,000 in prize money.

Both Khelif and Lin have now advanced to the semi-finals in their respective weight categories in Paris. “Yu-ting is great!” Taiwan President Lai Ching-te remarked after Lin reached the semi-finals in her featherweight division at the Olympics. “In recent days, Taiwan’s people have been indignant at the slander against her. Facing the challenge, Yu-ting is fearless and uses her strength to crush the rumors. Let us continue to cheer for her!”

Earlier this week, IOC President Thomas Bach accused the IBA of a defamation campaign against the Olympic body. IBA President Umar Kremlev, a Russian, had posted inflammatory comments on social media against Bach and the IOC regarding the decision to allow Khelif and Lin to compete.

The IOC has called on national boxing federations to establish a new global governing body or risk the sport being excluded from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Khelif’s father, Amar, expressed pride in his daughter and confidence in her potential to win a medal for Algeria. “The tests were taken arbitrarily,” Adams said. “The decision to conduct the tests on the spot at the world championships… I’m not sure what the foundation for the testing was.”

When asked if the boxers were targeted, Adams responded, “We believe so.” He questioned the fairness and justification of targeting two athletes for testing in such a manner by a discredited federation.