The 2024 Paris Olympics have started with great enthusiasm, but not without their share of controversies.

The latest uproar is in the boxing category, where the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has allowed Imane Khelif of Algeria to compete.

But why is this decision causing such a stir, and why did Khelif need the IOC’s permission in the first place?

Imane Khelif, along with Lin Yu-Ting of Taiwan, was disqualified from the 2023 World Championships in India for failing to pass gender eligibility tests. The tests revealed that they had XY chromosomes, leading to their disqualification according to the championship protocols. Despite this, Khelif has been cleared to compete in the Paris Olympics, sparking protests from athletes and sports fans alike.

Riley Gaines, the 2021 NCAA silver medallist in the 800 free relay, expressed her frustration on social media. She wrote, “Imagine training your WHOLE life, getting good enough to earn a spot on the Olympic team, hoping to win an Olympic medal…” Her sentiments were echoed by Claressa Shields, a two-time Olympic gold medallist and current world champion. Shields lamented, “I wouldn’t have stood for no stuff like that! That is so heartbreaking to the women…”

A video from December 2022 resurfaced, showing Khelif fighting against Brianda Tamara, where Khelif dominated the match, leading to it being stopped in the third round. This video has further fueled the controversy, with athletes like Gordon Ryan expressing their disappointment on social media. Ryan stated, “@olympics medals mean nothing now,” sharing the video on his Instagram story.

Imane Khelif has an impressive record, debuting with a 1-0 record as a pro and achieving 36 wins and 9 losses before turning professional. She won a silver medal at the 2022 World Championships in Istanbul, becoming the first African woman to win a lightweight medal. However, due to higher testosterone levels, she was not allowed to compete against Yang Liu, a decision that sparked accusations of unfair targeting from Khelif and her supporters.

The International Boxing Association (IBA), which oversees the world championships, has strict rules on gender eligibility and testosterone levels in female athletes. Due to its stringent policies, the IBA was banned from organizing Olympic boxing events. Now, under the more flexible rules of the IOC, Khelif is allowed to compete in Paris, a decision that has caused significant uproar.

The controversy surrounding Imane Khelif’s participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics highlights the ongoing debate over gender eligibility in sports. While some athletes and fans feel that the current rules are unfair, others argue that they are necessary to maintain a level playing field. As Khelif steps into the ring, this debate will likely continue, reflecting broader questions about fairness and inclusion in competitive sports.