Algerian boxer Imane Khelif’s participation at the Paris 2024 Olympics is “not a transgender issue”, a spokesperson for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said. Khelif beat Italy’s Angela Carini on Thursday (1 August), in a fight that has reignited an online storm about her participation in the Games, despite the fact she has been confirmed as eligible to enter the women’s boxing event.
The welterweight bout lasted just 46 seconds, with the Italian boxer saying she was forced to concede defeat. “I am heartbroken,” Carina said, reports The Guardian. “Regardless of the person I had in front of me, which doesn’t interest me, regardless of all the row, I just wanted to win.”
Khelif previously competed at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. She and fellow boxer Lin Yu-ting were disqualified from last year’s World Championships after failing to meet eligibility criteria.
Lin, who represents Taiwan, was stripped of third place at last year’s World Championships after failing a gender eligibility test. Khelif was disqualified in New Delhi for failing a testosterone level test, following information from the IOC.
Further details on why the pair were disqualified from the World Championships were not given at the time. IOC spokesman Mark Adams addressed the controversy again on Thursday (1 August), reiterating that Khelif and Lin both comply with Olympic eligibility rules and clarifying that their participation had nothing to do with trans issues.
“I repeat, all the competitors comply with the eligibility rules”, Adams stated (via The Guardian). “But what I would say is that this involves real people.”
He added: “And, by the way, this is not a transgender issue. I should make this absolutely clear.” Khelif told the BBC after her latest victory: “I am here for gold. I will fight anybody, I will fight them all.” The IOC previously said that “all athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games comply with the competitions eligibility and entry regulations as well as all applicable medical regulations”.
In response to claims about Khelif, the Algerian Olympic Committee said it “strongly condemns** the unethical targeting and maligning” of their boxer**, calling the attacks on her “deeply unfair”.
Featherweight Lin is set to take on Sitora Turdibekova on Friday (2 August).
According to Wikipedia Khelif is natal woman with DSD making her having high testosterone levels. Not much detail is given about fellow boxer Lin_Yu-ting also cleared to fight in the Olympics after being stripped of a medal for gender issues before. It seems she competed in women’s tournaments throughout her life.
So this makes this another Caster Semenya case with a notable difference, the amount of anti-trans propaganda coverage the IOC boxers’ issue has received is objectively more troubling even compared to Fallon Fox’s MMA matches.
Please have this in mind and debunk whoever claims that this is a trans issue. Point out that their definition of woman leaves actual women out of it, unless they are the Marjorie Taylor Greene type.
What if a woman just has a very muscular, masculine build despite being genetically XX? As far as we know, Brittney Griner is a woman. She would also defeat plenty of NBA players in one-on-one. Maybe she also should be excluded if we’re going to start making this about not allowing people with certain physical advantages to compete?
I’m sure the appropriate league will make their determination based on the information available to them.
I don’t see the point in debating a made up scenario of yours where the only information available is the one you’re imagining.
Yes, I am totally imagining a world in which Brittney Griner exists.
If Brittney Griner is so good that she’s better than NBA players, I’m sure NBA teams would be contracting her instead of WNBA. Good for her. Probably make more money too.
What’s the point you want to make? The WNBA has made a call that it’s cool for her to compete there. I don’t know what you want me to say? It’s a different case in a different sport.
Why are you sure? What makes you sure? Do you understand NBA policy? The policy of each team?
What is it you want to achieve in this discussion? I know that there is no rule against women playing in the NBA if that’s what you’re asking.
Ah yes, the “Air Bud” rule.