IOC slams IBA on gender testing row, terms boxers’ test as ‘illegitimate’

New Delhi: The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has hit out at the International Boxing Association (IBA) by calling their gender test on boxers as ‘flawed process’ responsible for stirring a controversy in the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu-ting have been at the heart of the controversy after the IBA banned the two women boxers at the World Championships last year over failed eligibility tests. As a result, the two boxers continue to face heavy backlash at the Paris Games despite both of them making it to the semifinal stage of their respective weight categories.

The IOC has now slammed the disbanded international boxing body and questioned over the legitimacy of the gender tests.

“These tests are not legitimate. The whole process is flawed. From the conception of the test, to the way the test was shared with us, to the way the tests were made public, it’s so flawed that it’s impossible to engage with it,” IOC spokesperson Mark Adams told reporters on Monday.

“These athletes have been competing in senior competitions for six years with no issues. These women were eligible for this contest, remain eligible for this contest and compete in this contest,” he added.

The IBA has been constantly questioning the participation of Khelif and Lin Yu-ting in this edition of the Summer Games. The disbanded international body offered prize money to Angela Carini, who withdrew from her bout against Khelif in just 46 seconds.

Khelif calls to end for bullying on athletes

Breaking her silence over the furore, Imane Khelif said it was harmful for human dignity to have a misconception over her gender and asked to end the incessant bullying of athletes.

“I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects. It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying,” she said in Arabic.

Khelif will next face Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand in her semifinal bout on Tuesday (August 6).

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 Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu-ting have been at the heart of the controversy after the IBA banned the two women boxers at the World Championships last year over failed eligibility tests.  Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today