The International Boxing Association (IBA) has announced plans to take legal action against the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over its decision to allow transgender athletes to compete at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The move follows a recent executive order by former U.S. President Donald Trump, titled Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports, which bans transgender athletes from participating in women’s sports. The IBA believes this order supports its stance on ensuring fair competition in female boxing.
IBA President Umar Kremlev said, “President Trump’s order validates our efforts to protect female boxers. We urge other sports bodies to follow our example in safeguarding the integrity of women’s sports.”
The controversy surrounds Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, two transgender athletes who won gold medals at the Olympics. The IBA argues that the IOC’s decision to allow their participation compromises fairness in competition.
Kremlev also encouraged female boxers affected by the ruling to take legal action against IOC President Thomas Bach and his team, promising free legal support.
Meanwhile, the IBA has introduced stricter gender verification measures for the upcoming Women’s World Boxing Championships in Niš, Serbia.
In Nigeria, the debate over transgender athletes has sparked political concerns. Interim Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) president Azania Omo-Agege has called for a National Assembly inquiry into the NBF’s affiliation with World Boxing, a body that supports transgender inclusion.
Omo-Agege questioned the decision, saying, “The NBF leadership must explain to Nigerians why they joined a boxing body that supports transgender athletes without proper consultation with stakeholders.”
The IBA has also vowed to file complaints in Switzerland, France, and the U.S. over the IOC’s decision, arguing that it violates the rights of female athletes.
