The International Boxing Association (IBA) has announced plans to pursue legal action against the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for permitting boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics. This decision comes in the wake of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” which bans transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports.
IBA President Umar Kremlev stated that Trump’s order supports the organization’s stance on maintaining fairness in female boxing. He emphasized the IBA’s commitment to ensuring gender equality and called upon other international federations to adopt similar measures.
The IBA plans to file complaints with the attorneys general in Switzerland, France, and the United States, challenging the IOC’s decision to allow athletes they deem “ineligible” to compete in the Olympics. Kremlev also encouraged affected boxers to pursue legal action against IOC President Thomas Bach and his team, offering legal support to those impacted.
This development has sparked significant debate within the international sports community. Critics argue that such actions may infringe upon the rights of transgender athletes and could lead to increased discrimination. Supporters, however, assert that these measures are necessary to preserve the integrity of women’s sports.
