Australian featherweight champion Skye Nicolson has stepped in to support two boxers embroiled in a gender eligibility controversy ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Nicolson, who participated in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, took to social media to comment on the situation involving Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, as it was revealed during the 2024 Paris Olympics that both athletes had been disqualified from the 2023 International Boxing Association (IBA) Women’s World Championships due to what president Umar Kremlev described as a positive test for “XY chromosomes.”
Imane Khelif of Algeria and Angela Carini of Italy react after their fight. (Reuters/Isabel Infantes)
Nicolson expressed in several Instagram story videos on Friday that both athletes, who she has faced in the ring, have been unfairly treated by the media.
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“I have sparred with both of these athletes. They were born female, but with an XY chromosome, which traditionally indicates male genetics, yet they possess female bodies. They exhibit the physical characteristics of females,” she stated.
“They have lived their lives as girls, women, and have always competed as females. They are not individuals assigned male at birth trying to compete in women’s events at the Olympics. It was during a random chromosome screening at the World Championships that their XY chromosomes were identified—not through testosterone testing or any physical examinations. They do not show male physical attributes.”
“While it’s a somewhat ambiguous situation, the media’s treatment, the rampant abuse, and the rush to judgment without knowing the full facts is truly appalling.”
Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting celebrates her victory over Kazakhstan’s Karina Ibragimova in the women’s 54-57-kilogram final boxing bout at the Hangzhou 2022 Asian Games, held on October 5, 2023. (Ishara S. Kodikara/AFP via Getty Images)
IOC PRESIDENT LABELS SCRUTINY OF TWO OLYMPIC BOXERS WHO FAILED GENDER TEST AS ‘HATE SPEECH’
The IBA has asserted that both Khelif and Lin possess competitive advantages that should disqualify them from competing in women’s events; however, Nicolson contested this, stating that if that were true, Khelif and Lin would dominate every matchup.
“If they were male, it would be a danger for girls to compete against them. They would be claiming gold medals across the board. Yet, that has not been the case; they have both been defeated by female opponents numerous times, which speaks volumes,” she explained.
“These athletes have proudly represented their nations multiple times throughout the years as female competitors, and they should not endure this kind of mistreatment. It is tragic that they find themselves in this predicament, and they continue to face such scrutiny,” she concluded.
Skye Nicolson in action during the WBC Interim world featherweight title fight against Lucy Wildheart at 3Arena Dublin on November 25, 2023, in Dublin, Ireland. (James Chance/Getty Images)
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has upheld its decision to allow the two boxers to compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics. President Thomas Bach reiterated on Saturday that there was “never any doubt” regarding their gender.
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“We will not engage in a politically motivated … cultural war,” Bach stated. “The hate speech, aggression, and abuse stemming from this agenda on social media is entirely unacceptable.”
Bach initially stated in his address that “this differences in sex development (DSD) case pertains to a woman participating in a women’s competition, which I believe I have clarified multiple times.”
The IOC later clarified his remarks, indicating he meant “not a transgender case.”
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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