Harry Potter author JK Rowling and others are livid that two gender-failed contenders are competing in the Olympics in France 2024. Here’s the story.
People Are Questioning
The 2024 Olympics in France is underway, and it has caused some eyebrow-furrowing moments.
Make It Stop
JK Rowling has voiced her concern about transgender women competing against biological women in sports. This year’s Olympics seem to have taken a similar route, and she has reportedly asked the “Olympic rule-makers” to “end the insanity,” according to GB News.
Failed Gender Testing
It’s been reported that two “female” boxers who have previously failed the gender tests have been banned from the 2023 World Championships in New Delhi.
Officials Called for the Ban
The International Boxing Association (IBA) managed the World Championships and called for the ban. However, the two are allowed to compete in the France Olympics this year.
XY or XX Chromosomes?
According to alleged reports, the gender testing resulting in the ban showed Algeria’s Imane Khelif and New Taipei Chinese Lin Yu-Ting with elevated testosterone that’s consistent with XY chromosomes.
The International Boxing Association Speaks Out Once More
In light of the “controversial” events in women’s boxing after these athletes were allowed to compete in the 2024 Olympics, the IBA has put out a statement.
Intense Scrutiny
The International Boxing Association said in a statement that their decision to ban the two athletes was after a “meticulous review.”
Undisputed “Competitive Advantages”
The “tests conclusively indicated that both athletes did not meet the required necessary eligibility criteria…” The athletes were found to have “competitive advantages” over female athletes.
Not a Testosterone Test
The spokesperson for the IBA also confirmed that the athletes didn’t undergo a testosterone test, but instead, a “separate and recognised test” in which the results can’t be disclosed to the public.
Barred Before
Both Khelif and Yu-Ting competed in the 2021 Japanese Summer Olympics but were banned from the world championships and allegedly stripped of medals in 2023.
Option to Appeal?
After the test’s results, the IBA further noted that Yu-Ting had not appealed the ban against the sport. However, fellow Khelif had appealed but withdrew the appeal. As a result, the decision was final and “binding.”
Other Tests
Athletes were also tested in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2022; the same results were apparent, according to the IBA. The disqualification to compete in women’s sports was based on the two test results in 2022 and 2023.
Game on in France
However, despite previous findings, this year’s Olympics in France is said to adopt a “different set of rules” that qualify the pair to compete.
A Fellow Athletes Voices Their Concerns
Various athletes and former athletes have voiced their concerns about what’s happening in the 2024 Olympics. There has been an outpouring of support towards the biological women competing and also concerns about safety.
It’s Dangerous
Competing boxer Caitlin Parker of the 75kg weight (12 stone) class told a news publication – France24, that it was “dangerous” for boxers who have previously failed the gender test to compete in the women’s category.
Coming to Light
Parker also told the news outlet that she felt it was “good that these things are coming out and being put under the spotlight…”
“It’s Shocking”
Former professional Irish boxer Barry McGuigan took went online and voiced his outrage saying, “it’s shocking that they were actually allowed to get this far, what is going on?”
Former Swimmer
McGuigan also reposted a comment by Sharron Davies, a former GB Olympic swimmer, who said, “…women should never be put in a position by the utterly cowardly IOC (International Olympics Committee). To go against what world boxing recommends is unforgivable.”
Fair Play
IBN says they are “committed” to fairness and are concerned about “inconsistent application eligibility,” as is seen in the 2024 France Olympic Games. The Olympic rules and eligibility do not coincide with the IBA. IBA says that the inconsistency “raises questions about fairness and safety.”
A Word From IOC
The IOC said they used previous rules to constitute this year’s lawmaking rules and that both athletes possessed “female passports” and “fullfilled eligibility requirements.”
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Fred Duval.