Boxing Body Targets IOC with Criminal Complaints over Khelif’s Participation in Olympics
The International Boxing Association (IBA) has announced that it will file criminal complaints against the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in the United States, France, and Switzerland. The Russian-led IBA, which was banned from the Olympics last year, is citing a Donald Trump-era executive order on transgender athletes as the basis for its claims.
According to the IBA, the IOC’s decision to allow Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting to compete in women’s boxing events at the recently concluded Paris Olympics could warrant criminal prosecution. The IBA claims that the IOC’s actions violate the executive order, which prohibits federal funds from being used to support transgender athletes who have not undergone sex-reassignment surgery.
The IBA has been at odds with the IOC since its ban was imposed in December 2021. The organization has consistently maintained that the ban is unfair and has accused the IOC of unfairly targeting it. The latest move is seen as a desperate attempt by the IBA to gain an upper hand in the ongoing feud.
Imane Khelif made history by becoming the first Algerian woman to compete in the Olympics. She won her first-round match against Germany’s Nadine Apetz, but lost in the second round. Lin Yu-ting also won her first-round match against Italy’s Virginia Fuchs, but lost in the quarterfinals.
The IBA’s decision to file criminal complaints against the IOC is unlikely to have any significant legal impact. However, it could lead to further tensions between the two organizations and potentially damage the reputation of the IOC.
The IBA’s claims are based on the Trump-era executive order, which was issued in 2020. The order aimed to “protect the rights and safety of all individuals participating in athletic programs, including those who are transgender.” The order prohibited federal funds from being used to support transgender athletes who have not undergone sex-reassignment surgery.
The IOC, on the other hand, has a more inclusive approach to transgender athletes. In 2021, the IOC introduced new guidelines that allowed transgender athletes to compete without undergoing sex-reassignment surgery. The guidelines require transgender athletes to provide medical documentation and undergo a rigorous testing process before being cleared to compete.
The IBA’s decision to file criminal complaints against the IOC is seen as a desperate attempt to gain attention and relevance. The organization has been struggling to maintain its relevance in the boxing world since its ban was imposed. The latest move is likely to be met with skepticism and disdain by the international sports community.
The IBA’s claims are also likely to be met with legal challenges. The IOC and the World Health Organization (WHO) have both raised concerns about the IBA’s stance on transgender athletes. The WHO has stated that sex reassignment surgery is not necessary for a person to be considered a woman, and that gender identity should be respected.
In conclusion, the IBA’s decision to file criminal complaints against the IOC is a desperate attempt to gain attention and relevance. The organization’s claims are based on a controversial executive order that has been widely criticized. The IOC’s inclusive approach to transgender athletes is likely to be vindicated, and the IBA’s latest move is unlikely to have any significant legal impact.
