The International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued a statement in defense of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who has been at the heart of a controversy since her express victory in a bout at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Imane Khelif has been the victim of cyber-harassment and criticism sorrounding femininity.
The IOC responded to the controversy surrounding Khelif's participation in the Paris Games. In a lengthy press release in support of the boxer after her victory over Italy's Angela Carini, the body said, "Everyone has the right to practice sport without discrimination."
"All athletes participating in the Paris Games boxing tournament respect the rules of eligibility and registration for the competition, as well as all applicable medical rules established by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit. As with previous Olympic boxing competitions, athletes' gender and age are based on their passports," it added.
The IOC's response comes amid criticism of the potential high testosterone levels and femininity of two boxers, Algeria's Imane Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting. Declared ineligible at the last World Championships, they were cleared to fight at the Olympic Games by the IOC.
"We have become aware of misleading information about two female athletes (Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting) competing at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Both athletes have been competing for many years in international boxing competitions in the women's category, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, the International Boxing Federation (IBA) World Championships and IBA-approved tournaments," the statement added.
False information about the femininity of these boxers was particularly rife on Thursday, after Italian Angela Carini's withdrawal against Imane Khelif in the under 66 kg category. The Algerian, who has 37 career victories (including 5 by knockout) and 9 defeats to her name, is due to fight her next bout on Saturday against Hungary's Anna Luca Hun Hamori.
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