IBA President Umar Kremlev calls for apology from Thomas Bach over Women’s Boxing scandal

By Emmanuel Sekago

In a strongly worded letter dated November 5, 2024, seen by wallnetnews,  International Boxing Association (IBA) President Umar Kremlev called on International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach to issue an apology regarding a gender controversy surrounding women’s boxing at the post Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Kremlev holds Bach personally responsible for what he describes as an abuse of women in the sport, following the IOC’s recent eligibility decisions.

The dispute centers around two boxers, Imane Khelif from Algeria and Lin Yu-ting from Chinese Taipei, who were previously disqualified by the IBA as ineligible for women’s boxing competitions. However, the IOC overturned these disqualifications, declaring both athletes eligible to compete.

A recent article published by Le Correspondant reportedly includes medical documents indicating that Khelif has a male body constitution, reigniting debate over eligibility standards.

In his letter, Kremlev accused the IOC of breaking sports regulations by allowing what he described as “a man against a woman” in competition, alleging that recent tests confirmed Khelif’s male attributes. He condemned the IOC’s decision, demanding that Thomas Bach “kneel and apologize to the boxing community and to those girls who have been beaten and abused.”

Kremlev emphasized the IBA’s commitment to gender equality and the protection of both women’s and men’s boxing. “On behalf of all boxers in the world,” Kremlev continued, “I demand an official apology from Thomas Bach and his team, both verbally and in writing.”

The controversy underscores ongoing tensions over gender eligibility in international sports, and the IBA’s statements highlight the complexities and sensitivities involved in establishing fair competition across genders.