Now I want to show you something before we go any further because this is an explosive story heading your way. We cannot use the visual of this the video of this boxer but we will show you what Italian boxer Algerian Karini said when she qualified for the Paris Olympics. That's an emotional, jubilant Algerian Karini telling the world that she made her father proud by making it to the Games. Getting closer to her biggest dream of winning a medal. Round of 16 is how far she got.
And that excitement of taking it another step further. entering the quarterfinals at Paris ended in 46 seconds. He resilience lasted all of 46 seconds. She was facing Algerian boxer Imane Khalif and she could not withstand any more than two blows before her nose started bleeding.
A word with her coach and Karini forfeited the match. That's Karini in the blue crumpling to the fore and she was sobbing right after she surrendered. From tears of joy before the Paris Olympics to now tears of anguish.
She said she couldn't take the punches that the Algerian boxer was landing. This is the same boxer who had been barred from the gold medal match last year at the World Championship in New Delhi, India. reason, Khalif had failed the eligibility test. The levels of testosterone in her body was way too high for her to be participating in the women's category.
And remember, this is a boxer who's participated in tournaments before alongside women in the past. Khalif, though, had failed. to meet the gender eligibility criteria by the IBA, the International Boxing Association, in 2023. But come the Paris Olympics, the decision regarding boxing events fell squarely on IOC.
This because IBA remains suspended now. And IOC instead reversed the last call and allowed two boxers, one, of course, Algerian Imane Khalif, and the other, a Taiwanese boxer, Lin Yu-Ting, to be part of women's events at Paris. Khalif in the 66kg category and Yu-Ting in 57kg. category.
This 46-second bout, though, created quite an outrage online. There's many hate that's been spewed there. Now it's not just been the viewers or fans of the sport or the general public who vented their anger.
Popular voices, influential personalities have been very, very vocal in their displeasure. Like JK Rowling. Like Martina Navratilova, a tennis legend. She's come out as well, speaking about this. Elon Musk.
He's had a word. Barry McKeegan, a professional boxer, former boxer in fact himself, calling this unfair. Many personalities calling this particular decision unfair.
The biggest backlash that IOC and by that extension France are facing is from Italy and the Prime Minister herself, who said this. I think that athletes who have male genetic characteristics should not be admitted to women's competitions. and not because you want to discriminate against someone, but to protect the right of female athletes to be able to compete on equal terms. From my point of view, it was not an even contest.
Melanie, in fact, personally met the Italian boxer, consoling her after her loss, even as Algeria and their supporters have been taunting Karini. But this public indignation and condemnation has been met with strong resistance and a firm backing of their own decisions. IOC did not waver in their response to this, standing by the call that they made of allowing these two boxers. This involves real people and we're talking about real people's lives here.
They have competed and they continue to compete in the women's competition. They have lost and they have won against other women throughout over the years. And by the way, this isn't, should make this absolutely clear for everyone, this is not a transgender issue. I know you know that.
I think there has been some misreporting on this and I think it's very important to say that this is not a transgender issue. These women have been competing in competitions for many years. The IOC putting some valid points across to defend their decision.
Even as Algerian Olympic Committee was enraged and said they called these malicious attacks on their distinguished athlete. Yes, there have been some malicious attacks which were not necessary. I'm all for expressing your identity and standing by who you feel you associate with.
Khalif represents a unique case here where she's born as a woman but has XY chromosome which are present only in male bodies. It's unfortunate but here's the issue with that. Higher the testosterone levels, higher would be the strength and the muscle mass skeleton advantage, making that body develop in a manly or male way. So simply put, for the same hours that both, say Khalif in this case and Karini train, The Algerian would have more muscle development, more endurance, and by that extension, much more strength than Karini, all because of the XY chromosome.
Now, is that a fair face-off? Because this is sport. It's a contest, a fight between two equals. They say sport is a level playing field. And that phrase could not be any more true than in this scenario.
A battle between two individuals or two teams who have been classified on the very same parameters and stand at level with each other. That's sport. Is that the case here though? Is the IOC going to be able to answer all of these different voices and pertinent questions, many of whom from political spheres who are clearly infuriated with the inclusion of these athletes who have come in despite failing gender tests?
Now I understand sport is for all, but has the IOC and the authorities responsible here been fair to all? Every party concerned in this very complex and sensitive matter. Those are the questions IOC will have to answer because this is far from over and the issue will not die down very easily.
Yes, life has not been fair to boxers like Khalif and Lin Yu-Ting who are caught in the crossfire here. But the least IOC can do is be fair to all. Have they done that though?
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