The UN’s special rapporteur on violence against women and girls (VAWG) has condemned the decision to allow Imane Khelif to compete in women’s boxing at the Olympics, with MPs and JK Rowling among other critics.
It comes after Italian boxer Angela Carini’s women’s 66kg clash with the Algerian boxer was abandoned after just 46 seconds.
The build-up to the fight was marred by controversy following the inclusion of Khelif, who was one of two athletes cleared to compete in the women’s boxing after being disqualified from last year’s women’s world boxing championships in New Delhi for failing to meet the necessary gender eligibility criteria.
International Olympic Committee (IOC) spokesperson Mark Adams said the two boxers fighting at the Olympics after being disqualified from last year’s world championships are “real people” who have been competing “for many years” and that “this is not a transgender issue”, the BBC reported.
Reem Alsalem, the UN’s special rapporteur on VAWG, said Carini “rightly followed her instincts and prioritised her physical safety, but she and other female athletes should not have been exposed to this physical and psychological violence based on their sex”.
Rowling, who has become known as a fierce advocate for the rights of biological women, labelled the IOC safeguarding “a joke”.
Reposting a video of the fight on X, the Harry Potter author said: “Watch this (whole thread), then explain why you’re OK with a man beating a woman in public for your entertainment.”
She said it was an example of “men revelling in their power over women”.
Responding to a video put out by the IOC about their safeguarding of athletes, the writer added: “A young female boxer has just had everything she’s worked and trained for snatched away because you allowed a male to get in the ring with her.
“You’re a disgrace, your ‘safeguarding’ is a joke and #Paris24 will be forever tarnished by the brutal injustice done to Carini.”
Carini was pictured in floods of tears after the match and said she was unable to continue for her health, adding: “I have never felt a punch like this.”
Former sports stars also aired criticism, with tennis great Martina Navratilova taking to social media to say: “This is all on IOC and those in power who make the rules. It’s a travesty and makes a mockery of all Olympic sports.”
Former GB swimmer Sharron Davies said: “This is a biological male fighting a female & absolutely everyone can see it, they have also failed gender screening, twice & have XY chromosomes.
“There is no ambiguity that the IOC do not care if a female gets seriously hurt. Or worse. I’m astonished at the weakness of the media.”
A string of MPs made similar condemnations.
Anna Turley, Labour MP for Redcar, said: “This is just not acceptable @Olympics – enough.”
Rosie Duffield, also an MP for the Labour Party, said: “This is not ok @iocmedia #Paris2024 Listen to women.”
Jim Shannon, of the Democratic Unionist Party, said: “How in the name of sanity is this supported by the IOC.
“When Pierre de Coubertin said ‘all sports for all people’ he would never have intended for men fighting women to be one of those sports.
“Male violence on females cannot be tolerated as a spectator sport.”
Mr Adams said on Thursday morning that those competing in the boxing are compliant with the eligibility rules.
What I’d repeat is all the competitors comply with the competition eligibility rules and that’s as it should be
Mark Adams, IOC spokesperson
He told a press conference: “What I’d repeat is all the competitors comply with the competition eligibility rules and that’s as it should be.
“That’s how these boxers concerned have taken part in these Games, have taken part in previous world championships, have taken part in previous Olympic Games, have taken part in regional and continental competitions.
“They comply with the eligibility rules and I think that’s as it should be and how it can be.”
Speaking on behalf of TransActual, jane fae said: “To the best of my knowledge, Imane Khelif is a cis woman. I am happy to amend that view if evidence to the contrary is provided.
“Even then, if she conformed to Olympic entry standards as a woman, then there is not an issue.
“Khelif has competed in women’s boxing matches for years with wins and losses under her belt.”
In a statement, the IOC said: “All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit.
“We have seen in reports misleading information about two female athletes competing at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.
“The two athletes have been competing in international boxing competitions for many years in the women’s category, including the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships and IBA-sanctioned tournaments.
“The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was taken without any proper procedure – especially considering that these athletes had been competing in top-level competition for many years.
“The IOC is saddened by the abuse that the two athletes are currently receiving.
“The IBA’s recognition was withdrawn by the IOC in 2023 following its suspension in 2019.”
Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting is the other fighter who also had questions raised about her eligibility for the Games.
She faces Sitora Turdibekova in the women’s 57kg category on Friday.
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