Algeria’s Imane Khelif Clinches Controversial Victory in Olympic Boxing Amid Eligibility Row

Controversy swirled around the Olympic boxing arena as Imane Khelif of Algeria secured a rapid victory in the women’s welterweight event, reigniting debates over her eligibility.

Meanwhile, Lin Yu-Ting from Taiwan is gearing up for her own bout in the featherweight division this Friday morning.

Both Khelif and Lin were disqualified from the Women’s Boxing World Championships last year due to issues with their eligibility. The International Boxing Association (IBA) made this decision amidst governance concerns, casting a shadow over their participation in subsequent competitions.

Lin, who had previously won a bronze at the World Championships, faced disqualification after the IBA deemed her ineligible based on undisclosed tests conducted during the championships.

Despite this setback, Lin bounced back at the Asian Games, clinching a gold medal and securing her spot in Tokyo once again.

Now, Lin is set to represent Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) in the 57-kilogram featherweight event, marked as the top seed.

Her path begins with a match against Sitora Turdibekova from Uzbekistan, promising an intense start to her Olympic campaign.

Khelif’s victory in Paris further stirred the controversy surrounding her participation, as her opponent, Angela Carini of Italy, withdrew just 46 seconds into their match after taking several hits.

Carini, while acknowledging the pain inflicted by Khelif, maintained her decision was based on the intensity of the blows rather than the preceding debates.

Despite the uproar, the COA defended Khelif against what they called unfounded attacks from international media, emphasizing their commitment to safeguarding her reputation as she prepares for her Olympic challenge.

IOC’s Stance and Conclusion

Mark Adams of the IOC reiterated that the issue does not pertain to transgender athletes, urging a reduction in sensationalized reporting and emphasizing the adherence to established rules in Olympic competition.

In summary, while controversies loom over their eligibility, both Khelif and Lin are now cleared to compete, setting the stage for intriguing battles in their respective weight divisions at the Paris 2024 Olympics.