- Debate sobre género en los Juegos Olímpicos: el COI advierte de "guerra cultural"
El boxeo femenino de los Juegos Olímpicos está en el ojo del huracán de un debate de género, desatando una "guerra cultural". El presidente del COI, Thomas Bach, intentó calmar las aguas en una reunión con la primera ministra italiana, Giorgia Meloni. Sin embargo, Donald Trump propuso una solución simple: "Mantendré a todos los hombres fuera de los deportes femeninos", declaró en las redes sociales.
En medio del debate emocional sobre la elegibilidad, la boxeadora argelina Imane Khelif y la taiwanesa Lin Yu-Ting se encuentran en el centro de atención. El Comité Olímpico Internacional ha aprobado su participación en las competiciones femeninas de París, después de que el organismo rector del mundo del boxeo las hubiera descalificado en el Campeonato del Mundo del año pasado.
El COI advirtió contra la escalada, stating, "No debemos convertir esto en una guerra cultural, sino pensar en las personas afectadas por la desinformación", dijo el portavoz del COI, Mark Adams. Even discussing the gender of Khelif and Lin is "a minefield", he added, warning of potential psychological harm to the athletes.
Lin avanzó a los cuartos de final en la categoría de peso 57 kg con una victoria unánime por puntos contra Uzbekistan's Sitora Turdibekova. Laboxes de 28 años recibió aplausos del público, y su oponente le dio una breve mano antes de que se anunciara la decisión. Numerous media representatives attended the fight, reflecting the immense international interest in the two Olympic boxers amidst the controversy.
Prohibición del Campeonato del Mundo, pero aprobación olímpica
Adams dijo de Khelif, "Ella nació mujer, vive como mujer, boxea como mujer y es mujer según su pasaporte". El COI considera que el género registrado en el pasaporte es decisivo. 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."
Boxeador derrotado: "La abrazaría"
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.
