The Olympic boxing market has seen a seismic shift as two women boxers are favored to take gold medals despite controversy.
Lin Yu-Ting, a 28-year-old two-time world amateur champion at bantamweight and featherweight in 2018 and 2022, was subsequently disqualified from the 2023 event. Alongside world silver medalist Imane Khelif, both tipped to beat off competition from all others in their respective weight class.
However, the contention comes from the fact both had previously tested positive for advantages over female competitors in confidential testing. They had subsequently been suspended from competition. The fact both are now allowed to compete due to an altered Paris Boxing Unit ruling has caused an uproar among detractors.
An old video of Khelif causing significant damage to an opponent has even been mistaken for a match-up at Paris 2024. WBN can confirm the clip in question is from a previous and not any Olympic Games. That hasn’t stopped many combat figures from airing their disdain for what some are branding as males fighting females.
Women Boxers at Paris 2024
The IOC released a statement following the uproar as Lin and Khelif prepare to begin their quest for medals.
The IOC said, “All athletes participating in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 boxing tournament comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations. They also comply with all applicable medical regulations in accordance with rules 1.4 and 3.1 of the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit.”
“The PBU [Paris Boxing Unit] endeavored to restrict amendments to minimize the impact on athletes’ preparation and guaranteeing consistency between Olympic Games.”
As the internet almost burst angrily, IOC spokesman Mark Adams added: “These athletes have competed many times before for many years. They haven’t just suddenly arrived, and they competed in Tokyo.
“The federation needs to make the rules to ensure fairness while allowing everyone to participate. That is a difficult balance. In the end, the experts for each sport are the people who work in that sport. If there is a big advantage, that clearly is unacceptable, but that needs to be a decision made at that level.”
Odds on the pair taking the top spot on the podium have since plummeted after a mass of wagers were placed.
Women’s 57 kg Boxing Winner Odds
Lin Yu-Ting Even
Svetlana Staneva +350
Karina Ibragimova +600
Nesthy Petecio +600
Amina Zidani +1000
Alyssa Mendoza +1400
Women’s 66 kg Boxing Winner
Imane Khelif -300
Busenaz Surmeneli +250
Yang Liu +1200
Morelle McCane +2500
Janjaem Suwannapheng +2500
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.
