The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has found itself embroiled in a controversy surrounding the participation of intersex boxers, with its president, Thomas Bach, making a seemingly evasive statement that has raised further questions.
The issue came to a head when Algerian boxer Imane Khelif competed against Italian boxer Angela Carini in a bout that was quickly terminated. In the aftermath, Bach sought to address the situation, but his comments have been widely criticized.
“I will not confuse the two issues,” Bach said, before promptly doing just that. He stated, “We are not talking about the transgender issue here. This is about a woman taking part in a woman’s category and for all the rest.” However, the IOC was later forced to issue a correction, acknowledging that Bach had actually meant to explain that this was not a transgender case.
The confusion surrounding the terminology used by Bach is indicative of the complex and sensitive nature of the issues surrounding gender in sports. Differences of sex development (DSD), a condition where sex development is not typical, was previously known as “intersex.” Some individuals with DSD are raised as female but have XY sex chromosomes and blood testosterone levels in the male range.
In his attempt to address the situation, Bach appeared to avoid using the term “female” and instead opted for the more ambiguous “woman.” This choice of language has been interpreted by some as a reluctance to directly acknowledge the gender identity of the athletes involved.
Furthermore, Bach went on to suggest that the IOC would not “take part in a politically motivated, sometimes politically motivated cultural war.” This statement has been perceived by many as an attempt to shield the organization from the backlash and criticism it has faced.
Carini, the Italian boxer, expressed her sympathy for her opponent, Khelif, saying, Carini apologized Friday for her treatment of Khelif. “I’m sorry for my opponent,” she told Italian outlet La Gazzetta dello Sport. “If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.”
“It wasn’t something I intended to do,” Carini said. “Actually, I want to apologize to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke,” she said.
