The International Boxing Association (IBA) publishes the email that kicked off the saga about the ineligible boxers Imane Khelif from Algeria and Lin Yu-ting from Chinese Taipei competing in the Olympics.

The IBA reiterates that the organization had no intention to raise the topic that was conclusive for us a year ago and finished with the disqualification of both boxers from all IBA events.

The IOC, as was already revealed, was informed about the development accordingly in writing but chose to ignore the issue. With this, as well as statements of the IOC that their eligibility criteria are based on passport and not on gender, IBA was gravely concerned about the safety and well-being of our boxers.

Interestingly, the IOC member and CONI President Mr Giovanni Malago allowed himself to lie publicly in the media accusing the IBA of applying pressure towards their athlete. In fact, the pressure fell on the IBA when the Italian side kicked off the campaign against their opponent.

The email that kicked off the earthquake was sent by the Italian Boxing Federation (FPI) on 31 July 2024 and claimed the information about the test that Khelif underwent prior to her disqualification from the IBA World Boxing Championships in March 2023. The letter was sent the day before their boxer competing in 66kg, Angela Carini, stepped into the ring against Khelif and abandoned the fight 46 seconds after it started.

Although the story about Khelif and Lin’s ineligibility got in the media before the fight on 1 August, it was widely picked up by worldwide media exactly after Carini’s performance.

The IBA stresses that competition against ineligible athletes is unsafe and unfair for female boxers. It is unfortunate that the IOC neglects the safety of female boxers for the sake to criticise IBA at all costs, just out of spite.

Now, when Khelif won the final of the Olympic Games in Paris, IBA can only regret that someone from our female boxers was deprived of the opportunity to celebrate the gold tonight.

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Media contacts:

Elena Sobol, Head of Communications and PR, International Boxing Association: elena.sobol@iba.sport