"The Gender Controversy in Olympic Boxing Behind the Scenes: Putin's Control Over the International Boxing Association"

"Russia Fuels Controversy Over XY Chromosome Athletes"
Russia Controls International Boxing Association... Gender Debate Begins

On the 3rd (local time), Algerian female boxer Imane Khalif (left) is throwing a punch during the 66kg quarterfinal match held that day.
[Image source=AP·Yonhap News]

Allegations have emerged that Russia is behind the gender controversy surrounding the women's boxing event at the Paris Olympics, which has sparked the biggest equity debate. It is pointed out that Russia, which controls the International Boxing Association (IBA), is continuously fueling the gender controversy over XY chromosome athletes, engaging in a power struggle with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Since Russia has effectively boycotted the Paris Olympics, concerns are rising that the controversy will not easily subside as Russia continues to stir up the gender debate as a retaliatory measure against the IOC's ban on its Olympic participation.

Unexpected XY Chromosome Boxing Athlete Controversy: "Russia Ignited It"

On the 2nd (local time), Taiwanese female boxer Lin Yuting clasped her hands in prayer after winning the 57kg preliminary match.
[Image source=AP·Yonhap News]

According to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) on the 6th, the IBA held a press conference in Paris claiming that the participation of XY chromosome-holding female boxers Iman? Khalif from Algeria and Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan in the Paris Olympics was wrong. They also stated they would explain the reasons for disqualifying the two athletes at last year's World Boxing Championships. Previously, the IBA conducted gender tests on the two athletes at the World Boxing Championships held in India last year and disqualified them, stating that athletes with XY chromosomes cannot compete as female athletes.

However, the IBA did not disclose details of the gender tests that led to the disqualification of the two athletes. Chris Roberts, IBA Secretary General, who appeared at the press conference, said, "The details of the gender tests are confidential to the IBA, and we cannot share medical information," but added, "Our goal is to protect the female athletes competing in the Olympics." The IBA's stance that the two athletes should be stripped of their Olympic qualification reignited the gender controversy.

Especially, Khalif, who has been heavily criticized on social media, appealed in an interview to stop the harassment. In an interview with SNTV, Khalif said, "My family is very worried, and I hope they are not affected," and appealed, "Harassment can kill a person's thoughts, mind, and spirit, so I ask for the harassment to stop."

IOC President: "Athletes Born and Raised as Women Should Be Respected as Women"

Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

The IOC expressed strong displeasure, stating that the IBA cannot question the eligibility of athletes who have already competed in the Paris Olympics. Both athletes legitimately earned their Olympic qualification from the IOC and have lived with a female identity, so the IBA's claims unfairly discriminate against the athletes. The IOC guarantees the opportunity for XY chromosome-holding female athletes to compete in the Olympics as long as they do not violate official regulations.

After the IBA press conference, the IOC issued a statement strongly criticizing the IBA for dragging up the controversial issue from last year's World Championships and sowing discord at the Paris Olympics. IOC spokesperson Christian Klaue said, "Such issues are causing international confusion," criticizing the IBA.

Thomas Bach, IOC President, also stated at a press conference held on the 3rd, "The two athletes were born female and raised female, and their passports indicate female," adding, "They have competed as female athletes for years. This is a clear definition of female." He continued, "I hope these women are respected as women and as human beings," emphasizing, "Every woman has the right to participate in women's competitions."

Russia Controls International Boxing Association... Continues Power Struggle with IOC

Russian President Vladimir Putin (first on the left), who attended the opening ceremony of the Moscow International Boxing Center in September 2022, is looking at the championship belt together with Umar Kremlev, President of the International Boxing Association (IBA). [Image source=Instagram]

On the surface, the issue appears to be a dispute between the IBA and IOC over the gender controversy of XY chromosome-holding athletes, but in reality, it is analyzed that Russia, banned from participating in the Paris Olympics, is deliberately stirring controversy by influencing the IBA. There are suspicions that Umar Kremlev, IBA President, who is close to President Vladimir Putin, is being controlled by Russia behind the scenes.

According to the WSJ, since becoming IBA President in 2020, Kremlev signed a sponsorship contract with Gazprom, the Russian state-owned gas company. Since then, Russian government influence has strengthened within the IBA, and most key executives are Russians. Subsequently, clashes between the Western-led IOC and the Russia-centered IBA began to increase.

Ultimately, in April last year, the IOC decided to strip the IBA of its status as the Olympic governing body for boxing, citing the IBA's failure to resolve match-fixing and corruption within the organization. The IOC officially recognized World Boxing, a newly established organization, as the governing body for Olympic boxing and assigned it to oversee boxing at the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics. Since the IBA continues to oppose this matter, conflicts between the two sides are expected to persist.