 "IOC says IBA gender tests on Imane Khelif, Lin Yu-ting were 'flawed' and 'illegitimate'")
The gender tests conducted by the International Boxing Association (IBA) on Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting at last year’s World Championships that led to their disqualification were illegitimate and lacked credibility, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said.
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Khelif and Yu-ting were cleared to compete at the Paris Olympics despite having been disqualified during the 2023 World Championships after the IBA said they had failed a gender eligibility test .
The IOC said the testing process, which only came towards the end of the competition after the boxers had already fought several bouts, was completely arbitrary.
“Those tests are not legitimate tests. The tests themselves, the process of the tests, the ad hoc nature of the tests are not legitimate,” IOC spokesperson Mark Adams told a press conference.
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“The testing, the method of the testing, the idea of the testing which happened kind of overnight. None of it is legitimate and this does not deserve any response,” Adams said.
The IOC had stripped IBA of its status as boxing’s governing body over governance and finance issues, taking charge of the Paris Games boxing competition and applying the same eligibility rules from the 2016 and the 2021 Olympics.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsKhelif's dominance in her Round of 16 welterweight fight against Angela Carini, who withdrew after 46 seconds following a barrage of punches, triggered a furore .
The IBA promised to pay Italy's Carini $50,000 in prize money , further fanning the ongoing dispute with the IOC.
Both Khelif and Lin have now reached the semi-finals in their respective weight categories at the Paris Olympics.
“Yu-ting is great!” the country’s President Lai Ching-te said after she reached the semi-finals of her featherweight division.
“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 rumours. Let us continue to cheer for her!”
IOC President Thomas Bach had accused the IBA of a defamation campaign against the Olympic body, with IBA President Umar Kremlev, a Russian, posting inflammatory comments on social media against Bach as well as the IOC about the decision to allow the pair to compete.
The IOC has urged national boxing federations to create a new global governing body or risk the sport missing out on Los Angeles 2028.
Khelif’s father Amar told news agency Reuters he was proud of his daughter and backed her to win a medal for Algeria.
“The tests were taken arbitrarily,” IOC’s Adams said. “The very fact that the decision to do the testing on the spot there (at the world championships)… I am not quite sure what the foundation for the testing was.”
Asked whether the boxers had been targeted, he said: “We believe so.”
“Two athletes tested in middle of the world championships and carted off and tested.
“How are they targeted for this to come about and is it fair and right that two individuals are targeted in this way…. by a federation that is completely discredited?” said Adams.
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