The International Olympic Committee and the International Boxing Association have developed serious differences over gender eligibility tests in women boxing. The first round match between Imane Khelif from Algeria and Angela Carini from Italy made headlines and divided peple on the authenticity of eligibility tests.

Carini conceded just 46 seconds into the fight. She went on to question the fairness of the rules, implying that she was forced to fight a transgender or a male opponent.

Later, however, she apologized to Khelif: “if the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.” Khelif said that she was in the competition bidding for the gold medal. “I fight everybody; my dream is to win a gold medal.”

Khelif from Algeria has since spoken of her experience of growing up playing football with boys and the social prejudice she faced back home. “I want to inspire disadvantaged girls and children in Algeria. Don’t let obstacles come in your way. If I win, mothers and fathers can see how far their children can go.”

Khelif and a boxer from Taiwan, Lin Yu-ting, had been cleared to participate in 2024 Olympic Games by the International Olympics Committee. Khelif, 25, and Lin, 28, competed in welter weight (66 kg) and feather weight (57 kg) category, respectively.

In 2023, during the World Championship held in New Delhi, both these boxers were disqualified by the International Boxing Association for failing its gender eligibility tests. The IBA had criticized the IOC for allowing formerly disqualified athletes to compete in 2024 Games. However, after the IBA lost its status as the governing body of the sport, the IOC took charge of the boxing competitions for the Paris Olympics and applied eligibility rules from the 2016 and 2021 Games.

In an interview, Chris Roberts, the IBA chief executive, stated: “XY chromosomes were found in both cases. Due to different strands in the findings, the body could not commit to refer to Khelif as biologically male.”

In response, the IOC raised doubts over the accuracy of tests conducted by the IBA. A spokesperson for the IOC said: “We don’t know about the accuracy of test done and what protocol was followed. We don’t know whether we should believe the test we don’t comprehend either.”

In 2023, during the World Championship held in New Delhi, both these boxers had been disqualified by the International Boxing Association. After the IBA lost its status as the governing body of boxing, the IOC took charge of the Paris Olympics and applied the eligibility rules from the 2016 and 2021 Olympics.

In a press conference, IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said: “Those tests are flawed and not legitimate. The IBA’s tests were done arbitrarily. The process of the tests and the ad hoc nature of the tests are not legitimate. The method and idea of the testing, which happened kind of overnight… none of it is legitimate and does not deserve any response.”

In response to a question whether the two boxers had been targeted, Adam said: “We believe so. The Algerian boxer was born female, was registered female, boxed as a female and has a female passport. This is not a transgender case. There is a consensus scientifically… this is not a man fighting a woman.”

IBA president Umar Kremlev, however, said the IOC’s decision to allow the banned athletes was destroying women’s sport. Kremlev announced a $50,000 prize for Italy’s Angela Carini, a $25,000 grant for Italy’s National Boxing Federation and a $25,000 sum for Carini’s coach. However, a statement by the Italian Boxing Federation said they will not entertain such offers.

Imane Khelif won her quarterfinal match against Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori who surpassed Australian boxer Marissa Williamson Pohlman. Hamori was graceful in her after-match statement saying, “The last few days have been difficult for everyone, this situation is not her fault. I cannot have a single bad thought for her.”

In the semifinal match Khelif defeated Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng, whom she had also beaten in 2023 World Championship India. If the final, she beat China’s Yang Liu.

In some other sports, such as swimming, athletics and cycling, measures have been taken to ban transgender women from participating in women’s sports.

Khelif has been boxing for eight years. She has competed in many boxing events, losing nine games and winning 42. Aslahan Mehmedova, Karina Ibragimova, Anja Stridsman, Khouloud Halimi, Natalia Shadrina, EsraY ld z, Mira Potkonen, Kellie Harrington and Amy Broadhurst have won against her in the past.

The writer is a freelance journalist and a travel enthusiast