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The Paris Olympics has been thrown into controversy after it emerged that two boxers disqualified from competing at the International Boxing Association (IBA) Women's World Boxing Championships last year due to failing gender eligibility tests have been cleared to fight in the women's competition.
Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-Ting of Taiwan, who were barred from the World Championships after failing DNA tests, are set to compete in the women's 66-kilogram and women's 57-kilogram categories, respectively. According to a report by NBC News, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirmed their eligibility on Tuesday, stating that they meet the competition eligibility criteria.
The decision has sparked outrage among prominent female combat sports athletes, who have questioned the fairness of allowing boxers who failed gender tests to compete against biological females.
Claressa Shields, a multiple-time Olympic gold medalist, expressed her disappointment on social media, stating:
“So they got men fighting against women in the Olympics @Olympics boxing! I wouldn't have stood for no stuff like that! That is so heartbreaking to the women who have to have their dreams ruined by a man. Sad asf!”
Fellow combat sports star Cris Cyborg also weighed in on the issue, writing:
“We must protect the integrity of women’s sports. I would not compete.”
Ebanie Bridges criticizes Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting's participation against female boxers in the Olympics
Ebanie Bridges, a former IBF female bantamweight champion herself, was particularly vocal, expressing her disbelief and anger at the IOC's decision. She questioned the fairness of the competition and the impact it would have on female boxers.
Taking to social media, 'Blonde Bomber' posted a series of X posts on the matter.
"Who ever on the committee agreed to this clearly doesn’t f**ken box or isn’t a female who’s been hit full strength by a male same weight to feel the noticeable difference… I feel so sorry for the BIOLOGICAL BORN WOMEN who have worked so hard to get to this point in there career to then have to compete against a trans who literally was disqualified for being a man… like wtf has this world come to? This ain’t about breaking records it’s about breaking skulls #Olympics"
Check out some of her posts below:
