IOC slams previous gender testing as ‘NOT legitimate’ and part of ‘flawed process’ as Bulgarian fighter makes ‘female chromosome gesture’ after losing to Lin Yu-ting
- Lin Yu-ting won her quarter-final in the featherweight on Sunday to secure a medal
- Khelif secured himself a medal after a unanimous decision win over Hamori
- Both fighters were at the centre of a dispute over eligibility requirements for the Paris Games
Over a year ago, Olympic officials were sent test results showing that gender-twist boxer and guaranteed medalist Imane Khelif had the DNA of a “male.”
Directors of Russia’s IBA, which was stripped of the right to host boxing at the Olympics over corruption and governance concerns, provided data to Games bosses after they disqualified the welterweight sport from their world championships.
Algeria’s Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, who was also reportedly removed from the competition for the same reason, have both won at least one bronze medal in the women’s event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, despite widespread controversy.
The IOC, which is effectively at war with the IBA, confirmed receiving the information, which was sent in June, but attempted to dismiss it as “illegitimate”.
The letter, which was leaked to the 3 Wire Sports website, states that the test “concluded that the boxer’s DNA is that of a male and consists of XY chromosomes.”
Bulgarian Svetlana Staneva crossed her fingers and tapped them twice at the crowd after the defeat
Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting secured her place in the Olympic final after beating Staneva on Sunday
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif (right) ensured she too would receive a medal at the Games with a victory on Saturday
It added: ‘This situation exemplifies the importance of protecting safe sport and the integrity of sport to which the Olympic Movement is collectively committed.’
IOC spokesman Mark Adams confirmed that the information had been received. He did not question the content, but attacked the validity of the tests.
“Those tests are not legitimate,” he said. “The tests themselves, the process of the tests, the ad hoc nature of the tests are not legitimate.
“There is no reason for the test. The test, as far as we can see, was administered randomly.
“The decision I saw reported also concerns the match where one of the boxers defeated a Russian boxer.”
When asked if he doubted the actual results of the tests themselves, Adams replied: ‘The whole process is flawed. And that’s why it’s not my place as a spokesperson.
“I’m not a medical expert. But the whole process is flawed.”
Adams spoke at the same time that featherweight Yu-Ting received a symbolic protest from her opponent in a unanimous decision victory.
IOC spokesman Mark Adams confirmed that the letter from the IBA had been received, but he disputed its validity
At the final bell, Bulgaria’s Svetlana Staneva removed her gloves, pointed to herself and made an “X” symbol with her fingers. The Bulgarian’s coach also held a white piece of paper with the words “I want to play only with women, I am XX” written on it.
“I’m not a medical person, so I shouldn’t say whether Lin should participate or not,” Borislav Georgiev added. “But if the test shows that she has Y (male) chromosomes, she can’t be here.”
Khelif will fight Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng in her semi-final on Tuesday, with the final on Friday. Yu-Ting will face Turkey’s Esra Yildiz Kahraman in the semi-final on Wednesday, and a win would see her reach the final on Saturday.
