Roome Mishra
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is under fire for selecting genetically male athletes as women players. After Italian woman boxer Angela Carini drops out of match in 46 secs leading to harsh criticism, IOC defends selecting intersex athletes. Lin Yu Ting from Chinese Taipei and Imane Khelif from Algeria both have participated in boxing.
These boxers were born as females and have been brought up as the same. However, due to some genetic mutation, they happen to have XY chromosomes instead of the usual XX. Ignorance, propaganda and confusion has led people to believe that these athletes went through a gender change surgery, which is not true.
IOC offers clarification and defends its stance to allow the athletes
Thomas Bach, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), stood firm in support of the decision to permit her and Lin Yu-ting to participate in the Olympic boxing events. He strongly criticized the questioning of their gender identity.
Bach described such concerns as completely unacceptable. He emphatically supported the inclusion of both women in the Olympic Games and harshly condemned the opposition they faced, characterizing it as hate speech.
“We have two boxers who were born as women, who have been raised as women, who have a passport as a woman, and who have competed for many years as women,” Bach said at a media briefing Saturday.
Imane Khelif confirmed to win a medal After latest victory
Controversy arose regarding Yu-ting’s and Khelif’s gender identity after information emerged about their disqualification from a women’s international competition last year.
Despite this previous incident, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has cleared them to participate in the women’s boxing events at the Paris Olympics. Specifically, they have been approved to compete in the 66-kilogram and 57-kilogram weight categories respectively.
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif secured a victory on Saturday against Hungarian Anna Luca Hamori, guaranteeing herself at least a bronze medal. During the match, Khelif enjoyed strong support from a vocal cheering section, who chanted her name and waved Algerian flags. This win ensures Khelif will stand on the Olympic podium.
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