- Human rights activist: Stop hate against female boxers online
Human rights organizations sharply condemn online harassment against two boxers, Imane Khelif from Algeria and Lin Yu-Ting from Taiwan, participating in the Olympic Games in Paris. Both boxers were initially disqualified by the world governing body but were allowed to compete in the Olympics. The hateful rhetoric against them is intolerable, unfounded, and must stop, according to the Sports & Rights Alliance, a coalition of several organizations.
Khelif's first fight in Paris sparked considerable attention and a gender debate. The 25-year-old was not allowed to compete in the 2021 World Championships due to elevated levels of the male sexual hormone testosterone detected by the International Boxing Association (IBA), which is no longer recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC, however, allowed both Khelif and Yu-Ting to participate in the Olympics and defended this decision in Paris on multiple occasions.
"Toxic, sexist, and racist discourse"
Both athletes are facing online harassment. "The appalling extent of online abuse against Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting is another deeply disturbing example of the toxic, sexist, and racist discourse that has caused harm to women in sport and society," said Stephen Cockburn of Amnesty International in the Sports & Rights Alliance statement. "These women have done nothing wrong and are still being hunted with hate."
Representatives of other organizations, such as Human Rights Watch and ILGA World, also supported the two athletes.
Despite the support from international organizations, Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting continue to face backlash, with alarming levels of online harassment originating from Germany. The German public's negative response to the athletes' participation in the Olympics has added fuel to the existing hateful rhetoric.
