The gender tests conducted by the International Boxing Association (IBA) on two female boxers during last year’s world championships have been deemed illegitimate and unreliable by the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s double world champion Lin Yu-ting have now been cleared to compete in the Paris Olympics, despite being disqualified at the 2023 world championships after the IBA announced they had failed a gender test.

During a press conference on Sunday, IOC spokesperson Mark Adams stated that the testing process during the world championships, which took place late in the competition after the boxers had already fought multiple matches, was entirely arbitrary. “These tests are not legitimate tests. The test itself, the testing process, and the ad hoc nature under which the tests were conducted are not legitimate,” said Adams.

The IOC removed the IBA’s status as the governing body for boxing last year due to governance and financial issues and has taken responsibility for boxing at the Paris Olympics. They are using eligibility rules from the 2016 and 2021 Olympic Games.

Khelif’s dominance in her round of 16 welterweight match against Italy’s Angela Carini, who retired after just 46 seconds, sparked a debate on social media. Celebrities like author J.K. Rowling and billionaire Elon Musk voiced their opposition to Khelif’s participation in the Olympics. Additionally, the IBA pledged to award Carini $50,000 in prize money, further exacerbating the conflict with the IOC.

Both boxers have now reached the semifinals in their weight classes in Paris. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te expressed pride in Lin Yu-ting after she secured a spot in the finals of her weight class. “In recent days, the people of Taiwan have been upset over the rumors about her. Yu-ting is fearless and uses her strength to crush the rumors,” he wrote on Facebook.

The IOC has accused the IBA of a smear campaign against the Olympic organization, with IBA President Umar Kremlev posting provocative comments on social media regarding the decision to allow Khelif and Lin to participate. Khelif’s father, Amar, expressed pride in his daughter, stating to Reuters that he was confident she would win a medal for Algeria.

Mark Adams from the IOC further emphasized that the IBA’s tests were conducted arbitrarily and raised questions about the basis of the tests. “We believe they were targeted. Two athletes being tested in the middle of the world championships… there were suspicions against them,” said Adams.

Adams concluded by pointing out that if suspicions lead to actions against all athletes, it would open up a dangerous pathway. “Is it fair and right that two individuals are targeted in this way by a federation that is completely discredited?”