Khelif Challenges IBA Lawsuit Over Olympic Eligibility

Algerian gold-winning boxer Imane Khelif has publicly condemned the International Boxing Association's (IBA) decision to sue the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over her and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting's participation in the women's boxing event at the Paris Olympic Games. Khelif described the accusations as 'false and offensive,' asserting that they undermine principles of fairness and due process in sports. The IBA claims that Khelif and Lin, who were born and raised as women, were disqualified from their world championships after failing gender eligibility tests due to possessing XY chromosomes. This legal battle is intertwined with US President Donald Trump's recent executive order aimed at excluding transgender athletes from women's sports, which the IBA cites to justify its actions. The IOC has defended its decision to allow Khelif and Lin to compete, framing the IBA's lawsuit as part of a broader campaign against it since the IBA’s exclusion from the Olympic movement in 2019 due to governance and ethical concerns. The IBA's legal actions may extend beyond Switzerland to France and the US, reflecting ongoing tensions in the sport regarding gender eligibility and fairness.