THE International Boxing Association (IBA) will file an official complaint with the Attorney General of Switzerland, Mr Stefan Blätter over the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to allow Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting to participate at the 2024 Paris Games.
Khelif and Lin both won gold in the 66kg and 57kg weight categories, respectively. Their participation, however, was questioned and scrutinised throughout the event because of a gender eligibility row.
In 2023 the two fighters had been disqualified from the World Championships having failed gender eligibility tests. Khelif and Lin tested positive for XY chromosomes which are commonly found in males. Prior to the Games, though, the IOC recognised them as female athletes.
The IBA confirmed earlier this month that Khelif will not be allowed to participate at the 2025 Women’s World Boxing Championships which are to be held in Serbia from March 8 to March 16.
“Imane Khelif is not eligible for our World Championships – she doesn’t meet the eligibility criteria,” they said at a press conference in Niš.
“Our technical rules clearly stipulate the requirements and eligibility criteria for the event.
“We randomly [conduct gender eligibility tests] and will be testing through the World Championships here.”
On February 5 US President Donald Trump signed an executive order which prevents trans women athletes from competing in female sports.
This move has prompted the IBA to take legal action against the IOC and in a statement published on their website two days ago they wrote that Trump’s decision, ‘Proves that IBA stood firm, rightfully protecting female boxers from unfair competition.’
IBA President Umar Kremlev said, “President Trump’s order to ban transgender athletes from women’s sport validates IBA’s efforts to protect the integrity of female sports.
“Our actions aim to ensure gender equality in boxing. We urge other International Federations to follow IBA’s example, as we are uniquely positioned to address this issue and advocate for our athletes’ rights.”
