The International Olympic Committee have clarified what President Bach intended to say regarding Imane Khelif’s participation in Paris.
The International Olympic Committee have been forced to post a correction to comments made by President Thomas Bach about the women’s boxing controversy in a press briefing.
At this year’s showpiece in Paris, France, two boxers disqualified from the Women’s World Championships last year due to failing gender eligibility tests, have been cleared to fight at the Olympics.
There has been huge controversy surrounding the participation of Algerian Imane Khelif after Angela Carini of Italy withdrew just 46 seconds into their second round encounter following two punches which she said were the “hardest’ she had ever been hit with.
Khelif is in women’s welterweight action again on Saturday when she faces Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori in the second round.
Image: Getty
And prior to the bout, the IOC’s ninth president Bach discussed the situation at a media briefing.
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But he made a glaring error in his comments, which followed on from misinformation spread online about Khelif being transgender when she was born a woman.
Bach said: “But I repeat, here, this is not a DSD (differences in sex development) case, this is about a woman taking part in a women’s competition, and I think I have explained this many times.”
But the IOC took to its official media account on X to explain the fencing gold medallist intended to say: “But I repeat, here, this is not a transgender case, this is about a woman taking part in a women’s competition, and I think I have explained this many times.”
Image: Getty
Last year, the IBA said tests uncovered that both Khelif and Taiwan double champion Lin Yu-ting “have XY chromosomes” – resulting in their disqualification from the World Championships in New Delhi, India.
The IBA were stripped of its involvement as governing body by the IOC last year and later replaced by the Paris Boxing Unit (PBU).
They allowed both Khelif and Lin to compete, as they did in the Tokyo Olympics when it was rearranged for 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Thursday, the IOC issued a strong, lengthy statement on the matter, confirming the pair will remain present and stressing that “every person has the right to practise sport without discrimination”.Featured Image Credit: Getty
Algerian Olympic Committee issues new statement on Imane Khelif following gender eligibility controversy
Khelif made headlines on Thursday after she beat Italian opponent Angela Carini in just 46 seconds.
Amid the controversy surrounding Imane Khelif’s involvement at the 2024 Games in Paris, the Algerian Olympic Committee have backed their fighter with a strongly-worded statement.
On Thursday, Italian fighter Angela Carini broke down in tears after she abandoned her 66kg women’s boxing match against Algeria’s Khelif, just 46 seconds into the contest.
Carini, who said she had “never been hit so hard” in her life, was punched twice by Khelif in the opening round.
The 25-year-old, who was left with a suspected broken nose, made an attempt to continue following a brief timeout but after speaking to her coaching team, she was caught again seconds later.
Carini then raised her glove again to the referee, signalling her intention to withdraw. Carini later refused to shake Khelif’s hand after the result was confirmed.
Since the welterweight clash on Thursday, there has been a wave of reaction, with particular attention given to Khelif for being disqualified from the Women’s World Championships last year for failing gender eligibility tests.
At the time, International Boxing Association (IBA) president Umar Kremlev said the DNA test showed Khelif to have the male XY chromosome.
Women typically have XX chromosome pairs, and men typically have XY pairs.
Neither Khelif nor Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting – another fighter who was disqualified from last year’s World Championships for failing gender eligibility tests – have ever identified as male, transgender, or as intersex.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC), which runs the Olympic boxing events, said the disqualification was as a result of elevated levels of testosterone in her system.
And on Thursday, the IOC confirmed that it allowed allowed Khelif to compete in women’s boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics due to her meeting the criteria they set out.
“Every person has the right to practise sport without discrimination,” the statement read. “All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU).”
Now, Algeria’s Olympic Committee have backed their fighter with a statement of their own.
The AOC said: “The International Olympic Committee has reaffirmed its commitment to ensure that all athletes participating in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games comply with the eligibility and compliance rules.
“Our team athletes, including our champion, have always adhered to these regulations in all international competitions. We strongly support our heroine and continue to defend her rights as a fair and qualified competition.”
Ahead of Thursday’s contest at the North Paris Arena, Algeria’s Olympic Committee issued a public statement condemning “baseless” attacks on Khelif after questions were raised over her participation at the Olympics.
The statement read: “COA strongly condemns the unethical targeting and maligning of our esteemed athlete, Imane Khelif, with baseless propaganda from certain foreign media outlets.
“Such attacks on her personality and dignity are deeply unfair, especially as she prepares for the pinnacle of her career at the Olympics.
“The COA has taken all necessary measures to protect our champion.”
