The Algerian Olympic Committee called the accusations against the boxer Imane Helif " "groundless" after she and Taiwan's Yu-Ting Lin were admitted to the Olympics despite the International Boxing Association punishing them for failing gender identity tests, BTA reported.
Last year, Heliffe was disqualified before her gold medal match at the world championships in India. However, the Olympic Games are organized by the International Olympic Committee, which accepted that Helif meets the requirements to participate in the category up to 66 kilograms for women.
"The Algerian Olympic Committee strongly condemns the unethical attack and maligning of our respected athlete Imane Helif, who is the target of baseless propaganda by certain foreign media outlets. Such attacks on her personality and honor are unfair, especially as she prepares for the pinnacle of her career - the Olympics. The Algerian Olympic Committee will take the necessary measures to protect our champion."
Helifi started with a victory in the ring in Paris after her rival - Italian Angela Carini - retired after just 45 seconds in the ring. Carini received several heavy blows to the head, causing her to drop the white towel.
Even before the match, the Italian headquarters expressed concern. Italian Family Minister Eugenia Rochella and Sports Minister Andrea Abodi also expressed surprise that "at such a high international level, there are no strict criteria" requiring "specific parameters of hormone levels".
The International Boxing Association (IBA), which was excluded from the IOC structures last year, also took part in the saga. The IBA said Imane Helif and Yu-Tin Lin failed two gender identity tests. At the world championships in India, Lin was disqualified before she was awarded the bronze medal in the 57 kg category. Her honor was stripped and given to Bulgaria's Svetlana Kamenova, who lost to Lynn in the quarterfinals. The two could also meet in the quarterfinals of the Olympic Games if they manage to win their first round matches.
"The athletes (Imaneh Helif and Yu-Ting Lin) did not undergo a testosterone level test, but a special gender matching test, the details of which are confidential. The results of the tests showed that the competitors did not meet the criteria for participation in the women's competitions and had an advantage over their rivals. The tests were conducted during the 2022 World Cup in Istanbul and a year later during the World Cup in New Delhi, the IBA said.
/GK/
Source: www.bta.bg