WBA President Gilberto Mendoza has spoken out regarding the participation of Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting in Paris 2024.
Mendoza aired his views on the ongoing concern after Khelif and Yu-Ting secured medals at the Olympic Games. The WBA figurehead has all the facts at his disposal, like Khelif and Yu-Ting being born female, but still believes their DSD [Differences in Sexual Development] disorder should disqualify them from the competition.
The Paris Boxing Unit and International Olympic Committee have dug their heels in over Khelif and Yu-Ting being allowed to finish their respective tournaments. The boxers are in the semi-finals at featherweight and welterweight, with bouts scheduled for early next.
Additionally, should they win gold, the uproar will be elevated tenfold as there are currently no provisions in place to stop anyone with DSD from fighting against women without the disorder.
Mendoza said if it were his call, he would rule Khelif and Yu-Ting out because they have overdevelopment due to the male traits that come with DSD.
“Unfortunately, Imane Khelif and Lin Yu Ting shouldn’t compete at the Olympics in Paris. They have a DSD, giving them a competitive advantage, strength, recovery, and power over females. You can’t play boxing.
“If I must choose between the right to participate or protect an athlete, you will know my answer: Life matters. Boxing and other sports need fairness and equality.”
Furthermore, on the continued abuse the fighters have dealt with from online detractors and media, Mendoza added, “Khelif and Yu-ting do not fault with the IOC-designated Paris Boxing unit eligibility criteria. Please have more empathy and respect for these women. It is not their fault to be born with a special condition.”
Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting are ‘biological males’
Former Great British swimmer Sharron Davies, a long-time campaigner for changes in the rules, explained her view of the situation to make things more straightforward for those who don’t understand the condition.
“I’ve just done a BBC interview, and several facts were presented to me wrongly. These boxers did not have testosterone tests. They had gender/sex tests. They were banned because they came back with a Y chromosome [only present in biological males] result,” said Davies of the tests taken by the IBA but not recognized by the IOC or PBU.
“Testosterone levels are an utter red herring in all of this. Castor Semenya, as per the written CASS [The Dr Hilary Cass report and recommendations from an Independent Review of gender identity] report, also states the ruling only applies to individuals with 46XY 5ARD – a DSD that only affects biological males. CS does not have unusual levels of testosterone for a female. They have normal levels for a male. The facts MSM [mainstream media] must start to report correctly so the general public is properly informed about the biology of the individuals when biology in sports is what matters so very much.
“Non of this is the fault of the DSD athletes, of course, but once they know they are biologically male [but with female organs], they also know they have an unfair and potentially dangerous advantage. Bring back simple once-in-a-lifetime cheek swab sex screening as female athletes want and stop the vile circus, which benefits no one [and is] caused one hundred percent by the IOC.”
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.
