Lin Yu-ting follows Imane Khelif: Both gender-row boxers clinch gold medals at Paris Olympics 2024

New Delhi: Chinese Taipei’s Lin-Yu-ting became the 2nd boxer embroiled in a gender row controversy to win a gold medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. Less than 24 hours after Alegeria’s Imane Khelif won a gold medal in the women’s welterweight category, Lin defeated 20-year-old Julia Szeremeta of Poland in the final to clinch the elusive gold medal in the women’s featherweight category.

Both Lin and Khelif have been at the centre of the ongoing row over gender eligibility in women’s boxing at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024. Both boxers failed their gender eligibility tests during the Women’s Boxing World Championships last year and were banned from competing in the event. They were also stripped of their titles and medals.

However, both boxers were allowed to compete in the women’s category at the Paris Olympics 2024. The row over their eligibility started after Italian boxer Angela Carini quit her bout against Khelif inside 46 seconds in the Algerian’s opening match at the Paris Olympics. Carini alleged the bout was ‘unfair’ and said one of Khelif’s punches hit her ‘too hard’.

The incident led to many questioning Khelif’s participation in women’s boxing while raising concerns about her original gender. Lin was also dragged into the controversy as she too had failed her gender eligibility test along with the Algerian last year. Nonetheless, both boxers were allowed to continue their respective campaigns in Paris by the IOC.

On Saturday, Lin defeated Szeremeta by a unanimous decision to clinch the featherweight title amid loud cheers from the crowd. It was Lin’s 4th straight victory at the Paris Olympics in what was a dominant campaign for the boxer involved in a gender row. However, there was no protest from her Polish opponent before or after the final as the two shared an embrace on the podium.

Lin-Yu-ting reacts after winning gold medal

Khelif has filed a legal case in France against the online harassment she faced over the gender controversy during the Paris Olympics 2024. Asked if she would do something similar, Lin said she would consult her team before making a decision. The Taiwanese boxer revealed she had cut off social media to remain focused on her campaign and that she was not bothered by the noise outside.

“This is something I will discuss with my team. I will decide later what will be the next step,” said Lin on Khelif’s lawyer filing a legal suit against the social media abused faced by her.

“Some of the noises and news articles… of course I heard some of the information through my coach, but I didn’t pay too much mind to it. I was invited by the IOC to take part in the Games, this is what I focused on,” she added.

Full Coverage of Paris Olympics 2024

Know All About Paris Olympics 2024 Players

 After Imane Khelif won gold medal in the women’s welterweight category, Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu-ting defeated 20-year-old Julia Szeremeta of Poland in the final to claim the featherweight title at the Paris Olympics 2024.  Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today