In the latest press conference by the International Boxing Association (IBA), it was revealed that two female boxers, Imane Khelif and Lin Yu Ting, are male and ineligible to compete at the international level. This information was kept confidential until both athletes participated in the Paris Olympics.

The IBA has evidence confirming that Khelif (left) and Yu Ting (right) are male. The IBA has evidence confirming that Khelif (left) and Yu Ting (right) are male.

Khelif and Yu Ting’s samples from 2022 indicated male gender. However, they were not immediately penalized as the IBA acknowledged that a single test might have errors. When independent samples in 2023 also returned male results, they were banned from competition. Despite this, the IBA did not seek reimbursement and allowed them to keep their 2022 medals and prize money.

Khelif appealed with financial support from the IBA, while Lin Yu Ting did not. Both received the test results and signed acknowledgment. However, the boxers and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) denied the information, claiming insufficient basis or lack of notification.

According to the IBA, allowing athletes with male physical characteristics like Khelif and Lin Yu Ting to compete poses a danger to other female athletes. Additionally, the IBA questioned the IOC’s claims of not receiving any notifications regarding the two athletes. As a result, the IBA felt compelled to publish the full details of the case to protect its reputation in the international media.

The announcement before the women’s 66kg semifinal did not affect Khelif’s (in blue) performance. The announcement before the women’s 66kg semifinal did not affect Khelif’s (in blue) performance.

The IBA released the information before the women’s 66kg boxing semifinal between Khelif and Thailand’s Suwannapheng, yet this did not impact the Algerian boxer’s performance. Khelif dominated her Thai opponent with a 5-0 score and will face China’s Yang Liu in the final on August 10.

This result makes Khelif the first female athlete from Algeria to win an Olympic medal.

She shared, “I am very happy and proud of this moment. I want to thank the support of the people. I don’t care about the surrounding controversies. The most important thing for me is to maintain my performance and give my people the show they deserve. I know I am talented and this is a gift for all the people of Algeria.”

Her opponent, Yang Liu, the 2023 world champion, will be a significant challenge in the final. Many around the world are eagerly awaiting this match.