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    Boxing chief demands Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting prove 'they were born women' after gender controversey

    By Simon Hamalienko,

    8 hours ago
    https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=4aHMeF_0uokWjeW00

    The head honcho of the International Boxing Association has sounded off regarding the contentious case of boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting during a press event in Paris.

    At the briefing, IBA top dog Umar Kremlev, alongside CEO Chris Roberts, insisted that the duo, who are Olympic athletes, need to establish their female birth status .

    This follows the uproar at the World Championships in Delhi where both Khelif and Yu-ting became embroiled in controversy when they were barred from competing due to a failed gender verification test , although the Olympics subsequently accepted them.

    With both boxers securing themselves at least a bronze medal, Kremlev has reaffirmed the IBA's stance that they should not have been permitted to fight.

    ALL THE LATEST OLYMPICS NEWS AND UPDATES

    His remarks were clear: "The tests show they were men. We don't verify what they have between their legs."

    He elaborated on the ambiguity stating, "We don't know if they were born like that, or if some changes were made. The second tests confirmed the first tests. If people have doubts, refer to them. They can make their own tests."

    Yet, there was evident befuddlement as Kremlev spoke of elevated testosterone levels and Roberts mentioned a chromosome examination.

    Kremlev continued, explaining, "We got the test results that they allowed us to make and these test results show they have high levels of testosterone, like men,".

    Roberts also chimed in, claiming, "The results of the chromosome tests demonstrated both boxers were ineligible."

    He criticised the International Olympic Committee (IOC), stating: "They have not done anything with it because they rely on own criteria which is basically the passport."

    Despite the uproar, the International Boxing Association (IBA) maintained its stance, asserting that it had forwarded the findings to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), only for WADA to clarify that gender verification does not fall under their jurisdiction.

    In a fervent 100-minute session, Algerian boxer Roumaysa Boualam defended her colleague Khelif: "What is happening is disgusting. I'm here to support my friend, I am here for the truth and to say (what is being said about Khelif) is not correct and not true."

    She vehemently stated: "Tomorrow, she will fight and we have to support her and wish her to win gold. We are so happy in Algeria, we support her and all the country know what she's been through."

    Boualam continued with an emotional appeal: "I can't speak for her but she will box and she will fight and this isn't fair, what's happened, for any athlete. All the athletes have to support her and feel what she feels right now. All the world is against us, it's not correct."

    Khelif, who caused a sensation with a quick victory in the first round over Italy's Angela Carini, responded with a statement before entering the ring to compete against Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng.

    She voiced: "I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects."

    "It can destroy people, it can kill people's thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying."

    "I am in contact with my family two days a week. I hope that they weren't affected deeply. They are worried about me. God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal, and that would be the best response."

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