The International Boxing Association (IBA) has clarified the facts that led to the disqualification of two boxers, Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-ting of Chinese Taipei.
- Imane Khelif has been participating in the IBA competitions since 2018, and Lin Yu-ting has competed since 2017. Current IBA management, having been in leadership since December 2020, has been on top of the problem from the very first IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships they conducted in 2022. IBA cannot comment on the previous iterations and lack of leadership actions in this regard.
- Following many complaints from several coaches, boxers agreed to gender testing. Blood sample collection was made on 17 May 2022. Sistem Tip Laboratory from Istanbul (License Number: 194-MRK) issued its report on 24 May 2022, after the competition ended. The laboratory detected results that didn’t match the eligibility criteria for IBA women’s events.
- Khelif won the silver medal in category 63 kg, Lin won the gold medal in category 57 kg.
- One test for each athlete was not enough to make a decision with respective consequences; in the case that one test mistake is possible. The lawyers advised to monitor the situation and to contact the IOC.
- IBA informed the IOC representatives about these tests, but no reaction followed from the IOC side.
- The situation was completely new to boxing, and IBA, following numerous consultations, decided to conduct a second testing before disqualifying the boxers. However, the second testing could only be conducted in a neutral country and within the IBA competition period.
- At the next IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships 2023 in New Delhi, Khelif and Lin were tested following their consent again before their first fights. Blood sample collection was made on 17 March 2023. Dr Lal PathLabs from New Delhi issued its report on 23 March 2023. The findings were absolutely identical to the first test results.
- On 24 March 2023, IBA Secretary General & CEO at the time, George Yerolimpos, informed both Khelif and Lin about their exclusion from the Championships for not meeting the eligibility criteria. The athletes received a copy of their testing and were informed about the possibility of appealing to the CAS within 21 days.
- Khelif and Lin were informed accordingly about the decision and acknowledged it by signing the papers. The test details were attached to the letter.
- On 26 March 2023, the IBA Board of Directors by a majority vote decided to ratify the decision taken by the IBA Secretary General & CEO on behalf of IBA to disqualify Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting from the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships 2023.
- These tests affect the private life of the person concerned and constitute medical information protected as personal data. We are not allowed to publish these documents without the agreement of the person concerned. However, both Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting received a copy of these tests, and they never disputed it. They know these tests exist and it is not fake.
- Both athletes were provided with the right to appeal against the Board’s decision to the CAS.
- Lin Yu-ting did not appeal against the decision to declare her ineligible, and it became legal and binding.
- On 12 May 2023, IBA amended its Technical and Competition Rules. After internal discussion, it was decided by the Board of Directors that IBA competitions will be conducted only between male athletes and between female athletes. Participation of DSD athletes (“differences of sexual development”) in boxing competitions were found dangerous for health and security of the boxers.
- Amendments made by the Board to the T&C Rules:
Definition of Men/Male/Boy = individual with chromosome XY.
Definition of Women/Female/Girl = individual with chromosome XX
Rule 4.2. Eligibility on Gender:
4.2.1.Boxers will compete against boxers of the same gender, meaning Women vs Women and Men vs Men as per the definitions of these Rules.
4.2.2.To determine the gender, the Boxers can be submitted to a random and/or targeted gender test which will be conducted by IBA in cooperation with the selected laboratory personnel.
4.2.3. In case of adverse result, the Boxer will be immediately notified by IBA.
4.2.4. In case of adverse result, the Boxer will be disqualified from such competition with immediate effect and will be prevented from competing in further IBA-owned and sanctioned competitions of that gender. For this purpose, IBA will share such information with the relevant internal bodies respecting its confidentiality.
- On 14 April 2023, Imane Khelif appealed to the CAS against IBA challenging the decision to disqualify her from the competitions. IBA paid its share of procedural costs, which demonstrates the good faith of IBA. Not many international federations agree to pay their share of costs in CAS proceedings. On 27 July 2023, the CAS issued the termination order and terminated the proceedings because the appellant did not pay the costs of the proceedings.
- After the termination of the proceedings before the CAS, IBA and Imane Khelif were in contact to resolve the situation. In particular, the athlete provided to IBA number of medical documents, which were examined by the IBA Medical Committee.
- On 23 March 2023, the IBA Medical Committee issued its report about the eligibility of Khelif.
- On 12 April 2023, IBA informed Imane Khelif about the conclusions made by the IBA Medical Committee and confirmed again that she was not eligible to participate in the IBA Women’s Competition. Therefore, her profile in Elite Women Light Welter was removed from the IBA database. She did not appeal against this decision of IBA.
- IBA does not want to comment private life of a person. For IBA it is not a matter how Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting identify themselves, and what is written in their passport. IBA’s main concern is that their hormonal imbalance affords them a distinct advantage over their female counterparts within their respective weight categories. It can be dangerous for other female boxers that we have already seen during the Olympic Games. Therefore, she is not eligible to participate in the IBA competitions.
- On 5 June 2023, IBA sent an official correspondence to the IOC regarding the case.
- On 16 June 2023, the IOC Sports Director Mr Kit McConnell sent the acknowledgment email.
- On 31 July 2024, the Italian Boxing Federation office sent an email inquiry to the IBA Sport Department asking about the facts that led to Khelif’s disqualification on the eve of the bout against their boxer Angela Carini at the Paris 2024 Games.
- IBA issued the first statement about the Khelif/Lin cases following multiple media requests on 31 July 2024.
- On 1 August 2024, Carini abandoned the fight at 66kg against Khelif at the Paris 2024 Games after 46 seconds.
- IBA condemned the IOC’s eligibility rules that allowed disqualified boxers to participate in the Games following that the IOC was warned about their ineligibility.
- IOC claimed at the press briefing that the organization has never been informed about the case, which was a lie.
- IBA was forced to give a press conference on 5 August 2024 in Paris to address the situation in detail.
- IBA issued a statement with a list of facts and attached documents following the press conference to conclude the case.
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