Algeria's Imane Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting were disqualified from the 2023 World Championships following their failure in a sex chromosome test, rendering them ineligible for participation.
After a sex chromosome test rendered both Algerian and Taiwanese boxers ineligible, the International Boxing Association announced the disqualification of Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting from the 2023 World Championships. The issue arose during the Paris Olympics, where Khelif's Italian opponent withdrew from their bout shortly after the fight commenced due to a barrage of punches.
The boxing competition at Paris 2024 is being held under the rules of the International Olympic Committee, as the IOC has revoked the IBA's status as the global governing body for boxing. Chris Roberts, the CEO of IBA, stated that he could not disclose the results of the gender eligibility tests but emphasized that their disqualification from the 2023 Women's World Championships should indicate their ineligibility.
Roberts mentioned that the results of the tests were submitted to the IOC in June of the previous year, asserting that the IOC took no action.
The IOC has criticized the IBA, labeling it as a discredited organization, and deeming the tests to be conducted on arbitrary grounds.
Thomas Bach, the President of the IOC, emphasized during a press conference that there were never any doubts about the boxers' gender, asserting that they were born and raised as women, holding passports and competing as women for many years.
The controversy surrounding the boxers has gained attention on social media, with notable figures such as J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk expressing their opposition to their participation in the Games.
Khelif's father defended his daughter, praising her for bringing honor to the family and criticizing attacks against her as "immoral."