IOC criticizes previous gender tests as 'not legitimate' amid controversy over Olympic boxers

The IOC has dismissed gender tests on boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting as 'not legitimate.'

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has dismissed gender tests conducted on boxers Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan as "not legitimate." These tests, which suggested that both athletes had male DNA, were provided by the Russian-led International Boxing Association (IBA) after the boxers were disqualified from the World Championships.

Both Khelif and Lin have secured at least bronze medals in the women's boxing competition at Paris 2024, despite the ongoing controversy. An IOC spokesperson, Mark Adams, confirmed that the committee had received the test results but questioned their validity, stating, "Those tests are not legitimate. The tests themselves, the process of the tests, the ad hoc nature of the tests are not legitimate."

Adams further commented on the flawed nature of the testing process, "There's no reason for the test. The test was, as far as we can see, taken arbitrarily. The whole process is flawed. And therefore it's not up to me as a spokesperson. I am not a medical expert. But the whole process is flawed."

The situation has sparked significant debate, with Bulgarian boxer Svetlana Staneva making a gesture with her fingers in the shape of an ‘X’ and her coach holding a sign reading, "I only want to play with women I am XX," following a loss to Lin Yu-ting.

Khelif is scheduled to compete in her semi-final against Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng, while Lin Yu-ting will face Turkey's Esra Yildiz Kahraman in her semi-final. The finals are set for later in the week.