The 2024 Paris Olympics witnessed historic gold medal performances in women’s boxing, as Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting triumphed in their respective weight classes. Yet their victories were overshadowed by a firestorm of controversy regarding their gender eligibility, after both had been disqualified from the previous year’s world championships due to failing “gender tests” that detected Y chromosomes.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) overruled the International Boxing Association (IBA), allowing Khelif and Lin to compete as their passports indicated their female gender. Their opponents felt the impact, with Italy’s Angela Carini abandoning her bout against Khelif, saying: “I’ve never been hit so hard in my life.”
Diverging Paths Post-Olympics
In the aftermath, the two champions’ careers have taken very different trajectories. Khelif, hailed as a national hero in Algeria, has embraced her newfound fame. She’s graced the cover of Vogue Arabia, sat front row at Milan Fashion Week, and is rumored to be the subject of an upcoming Netflix documentary.
Meanwhile, Lin has largely shunned the spotlight, taking a position as an assistant professor and anti-bullying ambassador while hoping to defend her title in 2028. However, her first attempt to return to the ring at a World Boxing event ended in confusion, with the Taiwan Sports Authority withdrawing her over the fledgling organization’s lack of clear gender eligibility policies.
Boxing’s Struggle With Gender Eligibility
The situation underscores the turmoil within amateur boxing over how to handle cases of athletes with differences of sex development (DSD). The IBA, already at odds with the IOC over governance issues, is steadfast in its position that Khelif and Lin are ineligible.
If there is nothing to hide, have a public test. There is no requirement to tell lies.
Chris Roberts, IBA Chief Executive
However, the upstart World Boxing federation, aiming to supplant the IBA, initially welcomed Lin before the Taiwanese federation pulled her out. Now, World Boxing plans to reexamine its gender eligibility criteria, casting doubt on whether Lin or Khelif will be allowed to compete.
Differing Rules Across Boxing
The professional ranks may offer more opportunities, with eligibility determined by individual athletic commissions rather than international federations. Pundits believe Khelif is positioning herself to turn pro in America, where variable state-by-state rules could provide an opening.
You can always find somewhere to box and someone to box if you really want to.
John Dennen, ex-Boxing News editor
An Uncertain Future
As 2024 comes to a close, the futures of both Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting in competitive boxing remain murky. Their triumphant moments in Paris may end up as the pinnacle of their careers, as the sport struggles to reconcile gender eligibility in a fair and consistent manner.
For now, the two historic champions are left in limbo – celebrated as trailblazers by some, yet barred from competition by many of the sport’s gatekeepers. Their divergent paths reflect the complexity of an issue that boxing has yet to resolve.
