Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting Participation Stirs Controversy

Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan have been cleared to compete at the Paris Olympics despite their controversial disqualifications from the 2023 World Championships for failing gender eligibility tests. Khelif, 25, advanced to the women’s 66kg quarter-finals by defeating Italy’s Angela Carini, who abandoned the bout after 46 seconds, citing safety concerns.

Carini later apologized and respected the IOC’s decision to allow Khelif to compete. Lin reached the women’s 57kg quarter-finals, defeating Uzbekistan’s Sitora Turdibekova amidst mixed reactions from the audience. Both athletes, assigned female at birth and recognized as female by the IOC, faced scrutiny due to their previous disqualifications. The IBA, the former Olympic boxing organizer, criticized the IOC’s decision.

They asserted that Khelif and Lin failed gender eligibility tests based on chromosome analysis. The IOC disputed the accuracy of these tests and accused the IBA of arbitrary decisions without due process. Khelif, a seasoned boxer with 50 career fights, aims for gold in Paris. She faced prejudice growing up in Algeria but remains determined to inspire disadvantaged children.

Lin, a two-time world champion has a successful career with 44 wins in 58 bouts. The IOC’s new framework on gender identity and sex variations supports their participation. Criticism persists with figures such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni questioning the fairness of their inclusion. IOC spokesperson Mark Adams and others urge focusing on the athletes’ well-being and addressing misinformation.

Imane Khelif is set to fight Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori, who expressed concerns about fairness while Lin Yu-ting will face Bulgaria’s Svetlana Kamenova Staneva.