Oscar De La Hoya says he will petition the IOC to ban Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting from participating in the Olympic Games in 2028.
Khelif and Yu-Ting were guaranteed a medal at Paris 2024 despite a furor over their current gender status. It’s been reported that Khelif and Yu-Ting harbor the Y chromosome, which is only seen in males, despite both being born female.
If confirmed after Paris 2024, the whole process of gender identity will become another topic for the International Olympic Committee to deal with. At present, they confirm the gender of boxers only on passports.
Oscar De La Hoya talks Imane Khelif
De La Hoya wants the pair ruled out following a press conference by the IBA [formerly AIBA], who claim Khelif and Yu-Ting are male.
Discussing the situation on his latest ‘Clapback Thursday,’ De La Hoya said, “I usually choose three hot topics to talk about in the world of boxing, but I am so fired up about one particular issue that I am just going to focus on that today. I am an olympic gold medalist. I am very proud of that fact. It was the greatest accomplishment of my entire career. So I have to ask, What the f*** is going on in Paris this year where two biological men are competing against biological women in the sport of boxing?
Oscar De La Hoya on the Olympic controversy.
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Los Angeles 2028
“The IOC allows this to happen, and they are saying it’s ok because they are females on their passports. What? Are you kidding me?
“There is zero chance that these fighters are evenly matched. It’s impossible and it’s scary, it’s disgusting and it’s unfair. I have lost all my respect for the IOC. It’s dangerous, and someone will eventually get hurt. It’s truly insane. I hate that we have to discuss it.
“I will be petitioning the IOC to ask that this doesn’t happen in LA in 2028, ” added the Golden Boy Chairman.
De La Hoya is said to have a heavy influence over the boxing program for Los Angeles, but only if the IOC confirms the sport will continue in the Games after this latest debacle.
Boxing was already skating on thin ice regarding being part of the next Olympics. So, this recent controversy could lead to the IOC finally washing its hands of pugilism.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
