Controversy in Paris Olympics, Imane Khelif failed the gender eligibility test? Journey of the Algerian boxer to the Olympic ring…

Last updated on August 3rd, 2024 at 06:25 am

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif along with the IOC faced considerable criticism from certain quarters of the socio-political sectors. Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu ting were permitted to box in the women’s division at the Paris Olympics 2024 after a suspension.

Coming to Khelif’s 66 kg bout against Italy’s Angela Carini at the Olympics, Imane cast a fantastic spell in the first round with a record 36-9 points and a pro record of 1-0 before the fight was called off in the second round. Some said that Khelif shouldn’t be in the ring due to the earlier suspension records against her.

In the match, Carini sustained a few punches and a hit on the nose leading to a fracture. After the 46 second mark of the fight, Carini refused to continue, leading to Khelif winning the match and advancing in the tournament.

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The Controversy;

According to a report the two boxers were barred from participation in the Olympics by the IBA (International Boxing Association), in the women’s world boxing championships that took place in New Delhi, India in March 2023.

The ban was made hours before she was to compete in a gold medal bout against China’s Yang Liu. Along with that, Liu was cut short of her bronze medal too. The action was made because the two had failed to meet the criterias of the IBA as per the association’s gender eligibility test.

The reason was that the two had higher levels of XY chromosome and higher testosterone levels than other women as per the IBA. 

In June 2023, the IOC lifted off the controversial ban from the two by stripping off the rights of IBA to govern international amateur boxing owing to its failure to reform certain financial and ethical issues.

Since the IOC’s rules permit the inclusion of athletes with gender diversity and DSDs (Difference in Sexual Development), the two boxers have been allowed to compete in the Paris Olympics 2024.