The International Olympic Committee has given Algerian boxing champion Imane Khelif the green light to compete at Paris 2024, ending a fierce eligibility dispute that has divided the sporting world.
The controversy erupted when the International Boxing Association (IBA) claimed Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting failed to meet eligibility requirements. However, the IOC has completely dismissed these allegations, standing firmly behind the athletes' right to compete.
What sparked the eligibility row?
According to IBA president Umar Kremlev, both boxers were deemed ineligible under the association's regulations. The IBA even released a video statement claiming the athletes didn't meet the criteria to participate in women's competitions.
Yet the IOC has taken a radically different position. An IOC spokesperson stated: "There is no issue of eligibility for these athletes. Both athletes have qualified according to the existing qualification systems."
History repeating itself?
This isn't the first time Khelif has faced such scrutiny. At last year's World Championships, she was stripped of her gold medal under similar circumstances. The Algerian Boxing Federation vehemently defended her then, and continues to do so now.
The federation released a statement saying: "We are deeply shocked by this new attempt to harm our athlete... We reaffirm that Imane Khelif is a woman and has always been so."
Olympic dreams back on track
Despite the very public controversy, Khelif's Olympic preparations continue uninterrupted. She's scheduled to fight Morocco's Khadija Mardi in the last 16 of the 66kg category on Thursday afternoon.
The boxing world now watches closely as this drama unfolds both in and out of the ring, with the Paris Olympics setting the stage for what promises to be one of the most talked-about competitions of the Games.
