The international boxing authorities called a news conference to clarify the reasons behind banning two female athletes from last year’s women’s competition at the Paris Olympics. However, the conference started late and quickly turned chaotic, with little clarification provided on the controversy. The head of the International Boxing Association, Umar Kremlev, made wild accusations and personal attacks without evidence to support his claims that the athletes were male. This led to more negative attention for the athletes, Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, just before their Olympic matches.
The International Olympic Committee dismissed the I.B.A. after the conference, criticizing the organization’s lack of credibility. Kremlev’s statements about the athletes’ eligibility based on blood tests were met with skepticism, as the organization could not provide specific details due to confidentiality rules. Despite claims of fairness and athlete safety, the handling of the situation raised questions about the competence of the I.B.A.
The controversy surrounding Khelif and Lin has been ongoing, with social media speculation before the Paris Olympics. The I.O.C. guidelines state that athletes can compete based on the gender designation on their passports, allowing the athletes to participate in women’s competitions for years without issue. However, the I.B.A. claimed that recent tests showed male characteristics in the athletes, leading to their disqualification.
The confusion and lack of transparency at the news conference only added to the controversy, with journalists and attendees pushing for clarity. As the situation unfolded, the scrutiny of the athletes’ eligibility took a toll on their mental well-being. Despite the I.B.A.’s attempts to justify their decisions, the handling of the situation has raised concerns about the organization’s credibility and motives, particularly given Kremlev’s connections to Russia and Gazprom.