This legal battle between the International Boxing Association (IBA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over transgender participation at Paris 2024 is set to be a highly contentious issue, especially given the recent executive order from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
The IBA’s argument hinges on maintaining what it calls the “integrity of female sports” and preventing what it perceives as “unfair competition” in women’s boxing. The inclusion of Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, who have won gold medals, is at the center of the controversy, prompting the IBA to take legal action in Switzerland, France, and the U.S.
This move has sparked reactions in Nigeria as well, with interim Nigeria Boxing Federation president Azania Omo-Agege calling for a National Assembly probe into the country’s affiliation with World Boxing. Omo-Agege’s concerns suggest a broader debate on how international policies on transgender athletes affect national sports federations, particularly in countries where such policies clash with local laws and values.
IBA President Umar Kremlev has taken a firm stance, even calling for IOC President Thomas Bach to be held accountable, describing the IOC’s decision as a violation of human rights and a crime. Meanwhile, the IBA is reinforcing its own stance by implementing stricter gender eligibility measures for upcoming women’s championships.
This legal dispute could have significant implications for the future of gender policies in international sports, particularly as more federations come under pressure to define clear guidelines on transgender participation.
