No Doubt Algerian and Taiwanese Boxers Are Women: IOC President

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwan's double-world champion Lin Yu-ting have been cleared to compete at the Paris Olympics.

This decision comes despite a gender dispute that has overshadowed their competition. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) president, Thomas Bach, confirmed this on Saturday.

Both athletes were disqualified at the 2023 World Championships for failing International Boxing Association (IBA) eligibility rules. These rules prevent athletes with male XY chromosomes from competing in women's events. Despite this, the IOC has allowed them to compete in Paris. 

Last year, the IOC stripped the IBA of its role as boxing's governing body over management issues and took charge of the Paris 2024 boxing competition.

"We are talking about women's boxing. We have two boxers who were born as women, raised as women, have passports as women, and have competed for many years as women. This is a clear definition of a woman," Bach stated at a press conference. "There was never any doubt about them being women."

The IOC criticized the IBA's decision to disqualify the athletes as unfair. This decision has caused a social media uproar, with figures like J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk opposing their participation in the Games.

Khelif recently defeated Angela Carini in their welterweight bout, further fueling the debate. The IBA promised $50,000 in prize money to the defeated athlete. Bach accused the IBA of leading a smear campaign against France, the Games, and the IOC. The IBA has not yet commented on these accusations.