The Taiwanese sports authorities have issued a threat of legal action against the International Boxing Association (IBA) for perpetuating what they termed “misinformation” concerning a gender eligibility disagreement revolving around the Olympic Games. During a tumultuous media briefing on Monday, the disputed boxing institution reiterated assertions that the International Olympic Committee had jeopardised women’s sports by permitting Lin Yu-ting, of Chinese Taipei (Taiwan), and Algeria’s Imane Khelif, to participate in the Paris competition.
The boxers, who are guaranteed a minimum of a bronze medal, were previously barred from the worldwide championships by the IBA last year. The prohibition occurred after the boxing authority conducted tests, concluding that the competitors did not align with its gender eligibility standards.
Umar Kremlev, the Russian leader of the IBA, made a declaration from an apparent Moscow office via an incoherent video conference call. He stated that the athletes possessed “testosterone levels typical of men”. The official also made derogatory remarks about IOC President, Thomas Bach, branding the inauguration ceremony of the Games as “an appalling spectacle for Christians and Muslims globally”.
During the media briefing, Ioannis Filippatos, the IBA’s medical delegate, and chief executive Chris Roberts, formerly the head of boxing in Scotland, mentioned that the athletes had undergone chromosome tests, not testosterone ones. “The chromosome test results indicated both boxers were ineligible,” declared Roberts.
Without going into detail, Roberts also mentioned receiving communication from Taiwanese and Algerian officials warning him against revealing confidential information about the boxers.
On Tuesday, a statement was issued by the Taiwanese sports administration expressing their dissatisfaction with IBA’s persistent commentary on the case, which originally garnered attention when Italy’s Angela Carini withdrew from her match against Khelif after only 46 seconds, stating she had never been hit harder. A representative commented: “The sports administration vehemently objects to the International Boxing Association’s persistent dissemination of incorrect information, muddying the facts, and endeavouring to disrupt the event regardless of the athletes’ rights and interests.”
The representative added that the Chinese Taipei Olympic Committee had also instructed a legal representative to serve a warning letter to the IBA, declaring their right to seek redress and their intention to commence legal proceedings if required.”
Last year, the International Boxing Association (IBA) lost its regulatory status due to its inability to implement changes related to governance and finance. These shortcomings, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) suggests, undermine the credibility of the IBA’s tests. Both boxers, being categorised as women in their passports and registered as female since birth, are permitted to participate in Paris, according to the IOC.
Mark Adams, the spokesperson for the IOC, underscored the IBA’s inefficiency during their press conference held at the Salon des Mirroirs function room in the heart of Paris. He refrained from remarking on the disorderly events of the previous day, stating instead, “The sport clearly requires a fresh organisation to administrate boxing. Looking at the members of the IBA who participated in that fiasco, it is glaringly evident that the IBA is ill-equipped to manage boxing.”
Adams indicated further that the IOC hopes to include boxing in the roster of the 2028 Games but stressed that it is incumbent upon the boxing community to establish a new governing body. His words were: “We are keen on including boxing, we intend to see boxing in the LA programme. Now, it’s the turn of the boxing fraternity to unite, in the interest of the sport and its athletes.”