- Gender debate at Olympics: IOC warns of "culture war"
The Olympic women's boxing is caught in a heated gender debate, sparking a "culture war". IOC President Thomas Bach attempted to smooth things over in a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Donald Trump, however, proposed a simple solution: "I will keep all men out of women's sports!" he declared on social media.
Amidst the emotionally charged debate over eligibility, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-Ting find themselves in the spotlight. The International Olympic Committee has approved them for the women's competitions in Paris, after the world governing body had disqualified them at last year's World Championships.
The IOC warned against escalation, stating, "We must not turn this into a culture war, but think of the people affected by misinformation," said IOC spokesperson Mark Adams. Even discussing the gender of Khelif and Lin is "a minefield," he added, warning of potential psychological harm to the athletes.
Lin advanced to the quarterfinals in the 57kg weight class with a unanimous points victory against Uzbekistan's Sitora Turdibekova. The 28-year-old received applause from the audience, and her opponent congratulated Lin with a brief handshake before the decision was announced. Numerous media representatives attended the fight, reflecting the immense international interest in the two Olympic boxers amidst the controversy.
World Championship ban, but Olympic approval
Adams said of Khelif, "She was born a woman, lives as a woman, boxes as a woman, and is a woman according to her passport." The IOC considers the gender listed in one's passport to be decisive. The IBA, which is no longer recognized by the IOC, set different standards and banned Khelif and Lin from last year's World Championships due to elevated testosterone levels. The IOC described this as a "arbitrary decision without proper procedure."
Khelif's victory over Angela Carini in the 66kg weight class by technical knockout in just 46 seconds sparked global outrage, with the defeated Italian refusing the customary handshake afterward. The debate over Khelif and Lin's eligibility quickly reached political dimensions, with Italian Prime Minister Meloni stating during a visit to the Olympic Village, "From my perspective, it was not a fair match."
Defeated boxer: "I would hug her"
Ironically, it was Carini herself who came to Khelif's defense. "These controversies have made me sad, and I feel sorry for the opponent who is here to fight too," the 25-year-old told "Gazzetta dello Sport." She respects the IOC's decision and regrets the snubbed handshake: "It wasn't an intentional gesture, I apologize to her and everyone."
She was angry with herself, saying, "I have nothing against Khelif. If I met her again, I would hug her."
However, Khelif and Lin may continue to face criticism in Paris, especially if they win medals. Neither scientifically nor politically is there a simple explanation for this issue, Adams acknowledged, making consensus difficult to reach. "If a common understanding is reached, we would be the first to act on it," he said.
Bach discussed the topic with Meloni during their meeting.
Bach is endeavoring to smooth things over. Following a meeting with Italy's Prime Minister Meloni, the IOC president promised to "maintain contact and clarify and improve the scientific background to make the situation clearer," as he told the news agency ANSA. Meloni had demanded that "athletes with male genetic features should not be allowed to compete in women's events."
In the midst of the ongoing debate, the IOC emphasizes the importance of avoiding further escalation, stating, "We must focus on the people affected by misinformation and the potential psychological harm, rather than turning this into a culture war."
Regardless of the controversy, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-Ting have proven their focus and dedication to their sport, with their Olympic approvals following their World Championship bans.
