OLYMPIC GAMES | BOXING
Lin Yu-Ting into the semifinals at the 2024 Olympics: The other female boxer facing scrutiny in Paris
The Taiwanese featherweight boxer is guaranteed a medal after securing a place in the semifinal. She courted controversy, raising questions about her gender eligibility.
The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris have brought together athletes from around the world, each with their own unique stories of perseverance and triumph. Among them are Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan, two boxers competing in different categories but whose journeys to the Olympics have been marked by controversy because of their physical appearance.
Khelif draws attention at Paris 2024
Imane Khelif’s first fight at the 2024 Olympics was against Angela Carini of Italy in the women’s 66 kg event. The bout ended abruptly when Carini withdrew after just 46 seconds, citing severe pain to her nose. This unexpected turn of events allowed Khelif to advance in the competition, receiving a bye into the next round where she would continue to showcase her resilience and determination.
Khelif broke down in tears after defeating Hungary’s Anna Luca Hámori in the quarter final then powered past Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng in the semis. She will contest the gold medal with China’s Yang Liu.
Lin Yu-ting, another controversial figure at the Olympics
Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting faced scrutiny after a gender eligibility test disqualified her from the 2023 World Championships. Like Khelif, Lin is not a transgender athlete, and the IOC has confirmed her eligibility to compete in the 57kg event of women’s category at the 2024 Olympics.
Lin defeated Uzbekistan’s Sitora Turdibekova in the Round of 16 then saw off Bulgaria’s Svetlana Staneva in the quarter final. Turkey’s Esra Yildiz, bronze medalists at the 2016 European Championships awaits her in the semi-final.
The attention that Imane Khelif has received throughout the Games has made this bout highly anticipated.
Contrary to what some social media outlets have claimed, both athletes are not transgender; their passports and medical background indicate that they were born and raised as female, as confirmed by the IOC. It is unfortunate that the fake news reached people like Elon Musk or J.K. Rowling, who keep promoting false narratives.