IOC President Thomas Bach has reaffirmed the committee's stance on the gender eligibility of boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, facing scrutiny over their "XY chromosomes."
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) President, Thomas Bach, has defended the organization's gender eligibility stance amid controversy surrounding two boxers competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Speaking at a press conference, Bach maintained that boxers Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan are eligible to compete in women's events, as they meet the IOC's standards.
IOC Defends Gender Eligibility Stance Amid Boxer Controversy
"This is not a question of inclusion. That's never played a role in all this," Bach said. "This is a question of justice."
The scrutiny began when the International Boxing Association (IBA), which the IOC withdrew its recognition of in 2023, disqualified Khelif and Lin from the IBA World Championships in 2023, citing "XY chromosomes."
IOC Defends Gender Eligibility Stance Amid Boxer Controversy
However, the IOC has consistently asserted that both athletes meet its eligibility criteria.
"Women have the right to participate in women's [events], and we will not rely on — which test? I have been seeing a transcript of this very interesting press conference of this organization (IBA) where it was not even clear which tests have been performed, which results they have been produced," Bach explained.
IOC Defends Gender Eligibility Stance Amid Boxer Controversy
"I have explained before the issues we have. It is not as easy as some may in these cultural wars may now want to portray it that XX or XY is the clear distinction between the men and women. This is scientifically not true anymore. And, therefore, these two are women. And they have the right to participate in the women’s competition. This has nothing to do with inclusion in any way."
Bach emphasized that the IOC abandoned genetic gender testing in 1999, and under the new systems in place, the committee's stance remains clear.
"Women must be allowed to take part in women’s competitions. And the two [boxers] are women," he said.
In response to questions about reviewing the IOC's policies ahead of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, Bach expressed openness to scientific advancements.
"That’s what we have said from the very beginning. If somebody is presenting us a scientifically solid system – how to identify man and woman – we’re the first ones to do it," Bach stated.
The IOC clarified in an August 1st statement that all boxers competing in the women's events "comply with the competition's eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU)."
Bach's comments came hours before Khelif won a gold medal in the women's 66-kilogram division, defeating reigning welterweight world champion Yang Liu of China. Lin is set to compete for gold in the women's featherweight division on Saturday.
The controversy has sparked debate about the complexities of gender eligibility in sports, with some arguing for a more inclusive approach, while others prioritize fairness and adherence to biological markers. The IOC's stance aligns with the latter view, emphasizing the importance of protecting the integrity of women's sports and ensuring that athletes compete fairly.
