In an electrifying moment, Olympic boxer Lin Yu-ting is gearing up for tonight’s big match, aiming to reach the featherweight final and seize a chance at gold.
The match is set to take place in Paris, and Lin is eager to compete despite facing a heated gender controversy.
Last year, the International Boxing Association (IBA) banned Lin from the World Championships, citing failures in gender eligibility tests.
Lin, representing Taiwan, is now competing with hopes of mirroring the success of Algerian welterweight Imane Khelif, who has also faced a ban and significant backlash.
The IBA’s chief executive recently stated that ‘male XY chromosomes’ were found in both Lin and Khelif.
However, the IBA has yet to provide concrete proof, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has raised doubts about the accuracy of these tests.
Taiwan’s Legal Threat
Taiwan’s sports administration is now threatening legal action against the IBA for its ‘persistent publication of false information’ regarding Lin’s eligibility.
This stance reflects growing frustration with the IBA’s actions.
The IBA, which has been suspended by the IOC since 2019 over issues related to finances, governance, and judging, was stripped of its regulatory status last year.
Despite this, the IBA continues to claim that the IOC is jeopardizing female athletes by allowing Lin and Khelif to compete.
Both Lin and Khelif were registered as women at birth, and the IOC has firmly supported their right to compete.
IOC President Thomas Bach has emphasized that there is no doubt about their gender identity, stating, “We have two boxers who are born as a woman, who have been raised as a woman, who have a passport as a woman and who have competed for many years as a woman.
This is the clear definition of a woman.”
Despite the IOC’s support, the IBA’s chief, Umar Kremlev, reiterated claims of ‘men’s level of testosterone’ during a video call from Moscow.
However, IBA CEO Chris Roberts, a former head of Scottish boxing, clarified that the athletes underwent chromosome tests, not testosterone tests.
Taiwan’s Response and Lin’s Focus
The Taiwanese sports administration has voiced strong objections to the IBA’s continued statements, with a spokesman condemning the misinformation and stating that legal action may be pursued if necessary.
Lin is set to face Turkey’s Esra Yildiz Kahraman in the semi-finals on Wednesday and has already secured a bronze medal. She won her previous match against Bulgaria’s Svetlana Staneva by unanimous decision. Despite the controversy, Lin is determined to focus on her performance and is set on pursuing gold.
She has been receiving supportive messages from back home and from Paris, though she’s chosen to disconnect from social media to concentrate fully on her goal. “I have won a bronze medal, but I want to win the gold,” Lin declared, remaining resolute in her pursuit of victory.
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