Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting emerged as national heroes following their gold medal victories in the Paris Olympics, despite the international controversy surrounding their participation. Khelif, who triumphed in the women’s 66kg boxing event, was celebrated with a grand parade in Algiers, where she was even granted the honorary title of major in the Algerian army. On the other side of the world, Lin, who won gold in the women’s 57kg, was honored as the “daughter of Taiwan” by the country’s president, and was the guest of honor at a lavish banquet hosted by her sponsors.
The uproar surrounding both athletes stemmed from their disqualification at the previous year’s world championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA), which claimed they had failed “gender tests.” These tests had identified the presence of a Y chromosome in their blood samples, leading to the conclusion that they did not meet the female category eligibility criteria. Both women had been registered as female at birth, and they had a long history of competing as women. However, their biological makeup due to differences in sex development (DSD) raised questions that were not fully addressed, sparking global debate.
Despite the IBA’s stance, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) disagreed with the decision and allowed Khelif and Lin to compete in the Olympics, where they both won gold. Their victories, however, were met with criticism from some corners. Critics pointed to the presence of the Y chromosome and questioned whether they should have been allowed to compete in the women’s category. Yet, the IOC’s decision to uphold their eligibility reinforced the notion that gender is not solely determined by chromosomes but by identity and legal documentation.
In the aftermath of their victories, both athletes have faced uncertainty about their future in boxing. Khelif, who hails from a modest background in Algeria, quickly became a media sensation. After her Olympic success, she appeared at Milan Fashion Week and graced the cover of Vogue Arabia. Despite this newfound fame, Khelif’s boxing career remained in limbo. There were discussions about her challenging the IBA’s disqualification in order to continue her amateur career, but no official action had been taken as of late 2024.
Meanwhile, Lin, 29, expressed a desire to continue competing at the Olympics, aiming for another gold in Los Angeles 2028. She opted for a quieter path, taking on the role of an assistant professor at Chinese Culture University, teaching boxing and sports skill training. Lin also became an anti-bullying ambassador in Taiwan, though her efforts to return to competitive boxing were complicated by the ongoing gender eligibility debates.
Lin’s attempt to compete in the World Boxing Cup in Sheffield, organized by the newly formed World Boxing federation, was thwarted when the Taiwan Sports Authority withdrew her from the event. The decision was based on concerns over the lack of clear regulatory policies from World Boxing and the uncertainty surrounding Lin’s eligibility. This move raised further questions about the future of her boxing career, as World Boxing announced it would review its gender eligibility rules in the coming months.
For both Khelif and Lin, 2024 was a year of triumph, but it also highlighted the challenges they face in a sport still grappling with complex issues surrounding gender and biological sex. While their Olympic golds will forever be a part of their legacy, the road ahead remains uncertain, with both athletes navigating a sport in the midst of significant upheaval.
