Ebanie Bridges Urges Olympics to Ban or Address Gender Eligibility of Boxers Khelif and Lin

Gender Controversy Erupts at Paris Olympics as IBA Sues IOC Over Boxers’ Eligibility
By James Cooney
Published: 12 February 2025

Imane Khelif (left) and Lin Yu-ting (right) won gold medals despite prior disqualification from the 2023 World Championships for failing gender eligibility tests.

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting sparked global controversy after claiming gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, despite being banned from the 2023 World Championships over failed gender eligibility tests. Now, the International Boxing Association (IBA) is pursuing legal action against the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for allowing their participation, escalating a debate over fairness in women’s sports.

IBA Takes Legal Action
The Russian-led IBA filed criminal complaints in Switzerland, France, and the U.S., accusing the IOC of jeopardizing athlete safety by ignoring eligibility rules. The IBA cited Swiss law, which allows prosecution for actions risking competitors’ welfare. The move follows former U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order barring transgender athletes from women’s sports, which the IBA claims validates their stance.

Ebanie Bridges Backs Bans
Former world champion Ebanie Bridges criticized the IOC, calling its approach “too woke” and advocating for Khelif and Yu-ting’s removal from women’s boxing. “If they let this continue, women won’t win sports anymore,” she told Daily Mail Australia. Bridges, who lost her IBF bantamweight title in 2023, also sarcastically suggested allowing women to use steroids to “compete fairly” against biologically male athletes.

Ebanie Bridges, a vocal critic, argues the IOC’s policies threaten the integrity of women’s sports.

Trump’s Influence and IOC’s Defense
Trump’s recent order to exclude transgender athletes from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has intensified scrutiny. The IOC, which stripped the IBA of governance in 2023 over ethical concerns, claims the IBA provided no evidence of failed tests for Khelif or Yu-ting. However, IBA President Umar Kremlev insists the IOC’s actions under Thomas Bach’s leadership “violate human rights” and demand accountability.

Athletes Offered Legal Support
The IBA pledged financial backing for any Paris 2024 boxers pursuing lawsuits, framing the issue as a battle for gender equality. “This is a crime against female athletes,” Kremlev stated, urging Bach to take responsibility. Meanwhile, Bridges applauded Trump’s stance, stating, “Women’s sports need clear rules to survive.”

Lin Yu-ting’s Olympic victory remains contested amid eligibility disputes.

Global Repercussions
The controversy highlights growing tensions between inclusivity and competitive fairness. With the 2028 Olympics approaching, the IOC faces pressure to clarify policies, while athletes and governing bodies brace for further legal clashes.

As Bridges bluntly summarized: “Save women’s sport before it’s too late.”

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