Boxers Cleared for Paris Olympics Amid Controversy

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan, both of whom were disqualified from the 2023 Women's World Boxing Championships for failing gender eligibility tests, are eligible to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics. The decision has sparked significant controversy, with many in the combat sports community questioning the fairness of allowing athletes with XY chromosomes to compete against biological females. The IOC has defended its decision, stating that both boxers comply with the competition's eligibility and medical regulations for the Paris Olympics. The International Boxing Association (IBA), which originally disqualified the athletes, is no longer recognized by the IOC, and the Paris Boxing Unit now oversees the boxing competition. Prominent boxers such as Claressa Shields and Ebanie Bridges have publicly expressed their disapproval of the decision.