The ongoing boxing controversy at the Paris Olympic Games centers around Imane Khelif, who was barred from the 2023 world championships due to tests revealing her male XY chromosomes but is currently competing in the women’s 66-kilogram division.
Her inclusion has sparked intense debate on fairness in women’s sports, with critics, including Caitlyn Jenner, arguing that she should not compete in this category and calling for rules based on DNA to maintain the integrity of women’s competitions.
Jenner expressed that Khelif’s participation has negatively affected the Olympic Games and criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for allowing it.
I’ve been saying this for years; Men don’t belong in women’s sports, period.
Watching what the IOC allowed to happen (the women beat the hell out of by men) in boxing is SHAMEFUL! Shame on the IOC for letting men compete in women’s boxing events! https://t.co/bWJ6mwaEoY pic.twitter.com/eak8KK2n6p— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) August 1, 2024
“This issue has hurt the Olympic Games so much. … Everyone’s talking about it,” Jenner said.
“I hate to be so downright rough … but we have to have rules and regulations, and it has to come down to DNA,” Jenner said.
“I think the Olympic committee did absolutely the wrong thing by letting [Khelif] compete,” Jenner added. “Shame on the IOC for not protecting the integrity of women’s sports, and shame on the IOC for not protecting the safety of women’s sports.”
Despite the backlash, the IOC defended Khelif’s eligibility, stating that she and another athlete faced an arbitrary disqualification from the IBA without proper process.
“These two athletes were the victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the (International Boxing Association),” the IOC stated in 2023. “Towards the end of the IBA World Championships in 2023, they were suddenly disqualified without any due process.”
Khelif is set to fight again soon against Hungarian Luca Hamori.
