Imane Khelif, a participant embroiled in a controversy over gender at the Olympics, has secured a medal at the forthcoming Paris games.
Her triumph in the quarterfinals occurred as the head of the International Boxing Association (IBA) justified the barring of Khelif and another contestant from last year’s World Championships for not meeting gender eligibility standards.
In an exclusive interview with Sky News, Umar Kremlev criticized the situation in Paris as “deeply concerning” and questioned the correctness of the International Olympic Committee’s decisions.
Khelif is now guaranteed at least a bronze medal following her consecutive victory in the women’s 66kg match against Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori.
She progresses to the semi-finals on Tuesday where, even if she doesn’t win, she will still clinch a medal.
The inclusion of Khelif and Lin Yu-ting at Paris 2024 has attracted scrutiny as both were previously disqualified by the IBA due to gender tests.
IBA chief Umar Kremlev has stated that the tests were conducted by medical professionals “at the behest of female athletes” and after “persistent complaints from their coaches”.
“Our processes at the IBA are carried out transparently,” he emphasized. “We can’t disclose medical records. As the president, I’m unable to do this as it involves personal and genetic data.
“It’s akin to personal property. The athletes consented to the testing, and the results indicated they possess resilient genes.”
Chinese Taipei fighter Lin Yu-ting. Pic: AP
Mr Kremlev also criticized the IOC, alleging it is “undermining women’s sports”.
“It’s disheartening when we advertise globally that we support gender equality and the well-being of female athletes, yet they are essentially dismantling women’s sports,” he remarked. “We cannot let this trend continue. Ignoring it now will make it normalized in the future.”
He added: “This is why our relations with the IOC are deteriorating – because they aren’t safeguarding the interests of athletes. Whereas we prioritize athlete welfare.”
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In a match on Thursday, Algeria’s Khelif triumphed in just 46 seconds, with her opponent Angela Carini remarking that she had “never experienced a punch like that before”.
Kheilf received enthusiastic support from Algerian fans at the arena in North Paris on Saturday as she tested her opponent with precise jabs.
While Hamori countered with some effective strikes, including a powerful right hook in the second round, Khelif maintained control of the game and emerged triumphantly with a unanimous decision.
Likewise, Lin from Chinese Taipei claimed victory in the women’s featherweight (-57kg) match on Friday with a unanimous decision over Uzbekistan’s Sitora Turdibekova.
Both Lin and Khelif have a history of competing in female boxing events over several years, yet the International Boxing Association (IBA) – responsible for the 2023 tests – affirmed the gender eligibility standards.
The pair did not satisfy the qualifications required to engage in the women’s event.
Nonetheless, the IOC ousted the IBA as the worldwide governing organization for boxing in June previous year, taking over the sport’s administration in Paris.
Imane Khelif emerged victorious in the match unanimously. Pic: PA
President of the Olympics Responds to the ‘Hate Speech’ Directed at the Pair
During a press briefing on Saturday morning, the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, addressed the backlash surrounding the dual boxers and condemned the derogatory remarks they have faced on social platforms.
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“Let’s be unequivocal, we are discussing women’s boxing,” stated Bach.
“We have two pugilists who were born as females, brought up as females, possessing female identification documents, and have been engaging in the sport as females for numerous years.
“This indisputably categorizes them as females. Their identity as females was never in question.”
Khelif defeated Carini in just 46 seconds on Thursday. Pic: AP
Carini expressed remorse for her actions following the fight and conveyed to the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport: “All the uproar saddens me greatly.
“I also extend my apologies to my adversary. If the IOC has granted her the approval to compete, I acknowledge and respect that verdict.”
