1 month ago
10
Dutee Chand, who has had run-ins with the IOC over permissible testosterone levels, commented on the on-going controversy surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif read more
 "'Not right to create controversy'")
Dutee Chand competes during the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta. AP/PTI
Indian sprinter Dutee Chand expressed her support for Algerian boxer Imane Khelif amidst the boxing controversy at the ongoing Paris Olympics.
Paris Olympics: News, schedule, medals tally and more
The incident began when Italian boxer Angela Carini abruptly abandoned her match with Khelif after just 46 seconds, claiming that a punch from the Algerian was too painful to continue.
This unexpected conclusion to the bout, which occurred on August 1, has ignited a vigorous debate on social media, with some critics questioning the legitimacy of the competition and labelling Khelif as “biologically male” and a “transgender” athlete.
In response to the ongoing gender discourse, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) defended its decision to permit Khelif to compete, emphasising that the athletes were facing unjust hostility as a result of arbitrary judgments.
Khelif and Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu-ting were barred from competing at the 2023 World Championships in New Delhi. The event was conducted by the International Boxing Association (IBA) after failing to meet “eligibility criteria”. IBA, though, have been ruled out of conducting the boxing event at Paris 2024 over irregularities.
Athlete Dutee Chand, who has experienced similar scrutiny throughout her career, spoke out against the backlash. Chand has challenged IOC’s policies regarding athletes with naturally high testosterone levels.
In 2014, she successfully contested a regulation that prohibited athletes with elevated testosterone from competing, arguing that such biological differences do not inherently provide an unfair advantage.
“In 2014, I challenged the IOC’s rule that a person with a higher testosterone level should not participate in the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland. It was noted that hormonal level cannot increase athletic performance. I suffered a lot at that time. I faced a lot of controversy regarding my gender.” Dutee Chand told PTI.
“Yesterday, during the Olympic match, (Angela) Carini gave up and now she is complaining about the Algerian boxer because of high testosterone levels. When you play in the Olympics, you undergo several tests. I don’t think it is right to create controversy about this,” she said.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
English (US) ·