In response to the backlash that resulted from the decision to allow Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting and Algerian fighter Imane Khelfi to participate in the upcoming Olympic Games in 2024, the IOC defended its decision.
Various prominent individuals, such as Logan Paul, J.K. Rowling, and Elon Musk, have weighed in on the issue while maintaining that the situation was inaccurate.
Lin and Khelif were initially disqualified from the boxing event in New Delhi in 2023 due to their gender.
The IOC noted that the organization made an arbitrary decision to allow the two athletes to participate.
At 25, Khelif has been competing as a woman. She lost in the quarterfinals during the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
In March, Khelif told Unicef that she was not transgender and that she was able to excel in football when she was 16 years old.
The organization noted that her ability to avoid getting punched by the boys was the reason she became a professional boxer.
On Wednesday, following her bout against Carini, the IBA announced that Lin and Khelif were removed from the competition due to their failure to meet the organization’s eligibility criteria.
The IOC responded by accusing the IBA of conducting the procedure without any due process.
The IOC noted that the accusations against the athletes were based on an arbitrary decision that was made without any proper procedure.
It also pointed out that these individuals have been participating in various high-level competitions for a long time. Everyone has the right to practice sports without discrimination.
The IOC expressed its regret and sadness over the inaccurate information about Khelif and Lin participating in the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris 2024.
The organization also noted that it was disappointed by the abuse that the athletes were receiving.
The IBA has been in the news for years due to various controversies.
In 2019, it was suspended by the IOC due to allegations of corruption during the London and Rio Olympics.
An investigation conducted by Richard McLaren, a lawyer from Canada, revealed that IBA officials influenced the results of some of the boxing events during the Rio Olympics.
He also noted that the organization benefited financially from the events.
In response to these allegations, the IOC took the IBA’s recognition away in 2023.
In response, a rival organization called World Boxing started campaigning for the sport to be included in the Olympics.
Several prominent boxers, such as Khelif, switched to the organization. In a statement, the IBA noted that World Boxing supports the Olympic movement and has endorsed and reinforced the athletes who are ineligible to participate in upcoming events.