Calls are getting louder for Imane Khelif and Lin-Yu-Ting to be screened for the ‘Y Chromosome’ before they step into the ring again.
Khelif and Yu-Ting won the gold medal at Paris 2024, driving a wave of controversy in their wake. Since then, it has become apparent that definitive questions need to be answered.
The main one of those is whether the chromosome is present or not.
WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman joined those who wanted some test before any XX competitors shared the ring with Khelif or Yu-Ting. We do know so far that both Olympic champions were born female, but the exact make-up of their cells is yet to be determined.
Sulaiman hopes that the situation can be clarified soon.
“The central and most serious factor which should matter is the integrity, safety, and well-being of the athletes,” said Sulaiman. “Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting are the fighters in question. Without definitive evidence, they were apparently born XX [female], they are not trans, and they have a genetic condition that gives them significant physical advantages.
“It is not the fault of Imane and Lin, who are suffering attacks, scorn, and derision. Everything is being mixed up, from science and medicine, homophobia, sexism, human rights, laws, rules, and even abandonment of common sense to attack them.
“The reality is that their rivals get into the ring taking unacceptable risks. Boxing is not a game. It is a contact sport.”
Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting screening
He added, “Today, the scandal focuses on these two women boxers, but it could be that a powerful world champion was matched against a young fighter seeking the Olympic dream. The important thing here is to learn and know the reality. Do Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting have XY chromosomes or the condition that gives them an advantage over their rivals? Yes or no?
If that is the case, then it is unquestionable that they have greater strength, endurance, speed, testosterone levels, and muscle mass. This gives them a great competitive advantage, eliminating fair play, and puts the health of their rivals at significant risk.
“We are not talking about breaking a time record or scoring goals; we are talking about boxing, a contact sport in which the opponent can be hurt, and we pray to God that nothing regrettable happens in the remaining fights.”
Khelif is launching legal action over social media bullying. While Yu-Ting has walked away quietly, have taken less of the media hammering. Both could now decide to turn professional. If they do, there could be even more controversy to come.
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.
