IBA: “We prioritize athlete safety and will never support gender-diverse fights”

The International Boxing Association (IBA) released a statement on its website emphasizing its commitment to athlete safety and the inadmissibility of inter-gender fights.

The IBA has suspended Algeria’s Iman Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yuting from the Women’s World Cup in India in 2023 for failing to meet the eligibility criteria. Following the gender test, it was proven that the athletes possess XY chromosomes. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has cleared Khelif and Lin Yuting to compete in the women’s competition at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

“The IBA remains committed to ensuring fair competition at all our events and we condemn the inconsistencies in eligibility for boxing events at the Paris Olympic Games.” Let us reiterate that Helif and Lin Yuting, after testing, did not meet the necessary criteria to be admitted to compete in the women’s category. The disqualification was based on two valid tests carried out on both athletes in two independent laboratories.

Lin Yuting did not appeal the IBA’s decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), making the decision legally binding. Khelif initially appealed to CAS, but withdrew it midway through the case.

We are completely at a loss as to why any organization would expose a boxer to a risk that could result in potentially serious injury. The primary role of a ring referee is to ensure the safety of the boxer at all times. What if the boxer does not meet the eligibility criteria?

“The IBA will never support inter-gender fighting as the organisation prioritises the safety and well-being of our athletes. We stand by our women and their rights to compete in the ring against equal opponents, and we will protect and support them in every instance; their hopes and dreams should never be dashed by organisations unwilling to do the right thing in difficult circumstances,” the IBA said in a statement.

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