Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting secured a victory against Uzbekistan’s Sitora Turdibekova with a unanimous points decision in the women’s 57kg boxing category. This win comes as Lin, 28, finds herself embroiled in a controversy surrounding the eligibility of women boxers, a situation also affecting Algerian boxer Imane Khelif.
Lin and Khelif were previously disqualified from the 2023 world championships in New Delhi, which was organized by the International Boxing Association (IBA). Their disqualification stemmed from failing to meet certain “eligibility criteria”. Despite this, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which oversees the boxing events in Paris, has permitted both athletes to compete.
The IBA explained in a statement that the boxers “did not undergo a testosterone examination but were subject to a separate and recognised test”. However, the specifics of this test “remain confidential”.
IOC spokesperson Mark Adams noted that the eligibility criteria used by the Olympic body are based on the gender indicated on the athletes’ passports. He also acknowledged the complexity of the issue, stating that it’s “not a black and white issue”.
Both Lin and Khelif do not identify as transgender and had previously competed in the women’s competition at the Tokyo Games in 2021.
The controversy has sparked reactions beyond the sports world, drawing comments from politicians and celebrities. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the Khelif-Carini bout, asserting that it was “not on an equal footing” after the Italian fighter, Angela Carini, sustained a severe nose injury and was left in tears.
Former US President Donald Trump weighed in on his Truth Social network, declaring, “I WILL KEEP MEN OUT OF WOMEN’S SPORTS!” His running mate, JD Vance, described the match as a “grown man pummelling a woman in a boxing match,” and called for condemnation from all leaders, saying, “This is disgusting, and all of our leaders should condemn it.”
Author JK Rowling also commented on the situation on X (formerly Twitter), asserting that the Paris Games would be “forever tarnished by the brutal injustice done to Carini”.
