Boxer embroiled in gender debate clinches Olympic gold
Lin Yu-ting of the Chinese Taipei team claimed the boxing gold medal at the Paris Olympics, amidst a contentious debate regarding eligibility issues. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Lin Yu-ting from Chinese Taipei clinched Olympic gold in the women's featherweight category in Paris, overcoming Julia Szeremeta of Poland. This win is particularly notable as it follows recent disputes concerning Lin's gender identity.
Achieving a unanimous victory, Lin had previously faced disqualification during the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championship in New Delhi. This was due to the failure to meet the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) gender criteria. In response to the disqualification, IBA president Umar Kremlev remarked, “the tests proved they had XY chromosomes and were thus excluded from the sports events.”
Nevertheless, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) permitted Lin and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif – who also faced disqualification – to participate in the Paris Olympics.
Earlier in the month, IOC spokesman Mark Adams emphasized that “all the athletes comply with the eligibility rules,” raising questions about the previous year’s IBA-conducted tests. Khelif also emerged victorious in Paris, securing a gold medal against Yang Liu of China in the women’s welterweight category.
The participation of Lin and Khelif in the Olympics has sparked intense debate. Critics argue that allowing athletes who fail DNA tests to compete in female categories is unfair. In contrast, supporters counter that the tests may be inconclusive, showing either the presence of XY chromosomes or elevated testosterone levels, without definitively proving male gender.
The IBA, led by Kremlev, had previously lifted a ban on Russian and Belarusian boxers, permitting them to compete under their national symbols despite global sanctions. In 2023, the IOC withdrew its recognition of the IBA following alleged failures in governance and financial reforms, subsequently taking over the boxing events at the Paris Olympics.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
Achieving a unanimous victory, Lin had previously faced disqualification during the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championship in New Delhi. This was due to the failure to meet the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) gender criteria. In response to the disqualification, IBA president Umar Kremlev remarked, “the tests proved they had XY chromosomes and were thus excluded from the sports events.”
Nevertheless, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) permitted Lin and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif – who also faced disqualification – to participate in the Paris Olympics.
Earlier in the month, IOC spokesman Mark Adams emphasized that “all the athletes comply with the eligibility rules,” raising questions about the previous year’s IBA-conducted tests. Khelif also emerged victorious in Paris, securing a gold medal against Yang Liu of China in the women’s welterweight category.
The participation of Lin and Khelif in the Olympics has sparked intense debate. Critics argue that allowing athletes who fail DNA tests to compete in female categories is unfair. In contrast, supporters counter that the tests may be inconclusive, showing either the presence of XY chromosomes or elevated testosterone levels, without definitively proving male gender.
The IBA, led by Kremlev, had previously lifted a ban on Russian and Belarusian boxers, permitting them to compete under their national symbols despite global sanctions. In 2023, the IOC withdrew its recognition of the IBA following alleged failures in governance and financial reforms, subsequently taking over the boxing events at the Paris Olympics.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
