Taiwanese Boxer Lin Yu-ting Committed to Compete Despite Gender Tests

Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting plans to compete in the upcoming World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, England, despite new gender testing requirements imposed by World Boxing. Lin’s coach, Tseng Tzu-chiang, confirmed that the Taiwanese Olympic gold medalist will submit all necessary documentation for the tests. This decision comes just over a year after Lin and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif found themselves at the center of a gender eligibility debate during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

On Wednesday, World Boxing announced that all female participants in the championships, scheduled from September 4 to 14, 2024, are required to undergo mandatory sex testing. This initiative aims to ensure safety and fairness within the sport, following extensive deliberations since the controversy that arose during the Olympics.

“Lin Yu-ting just returned from training in South Korea, and we are waiting for notification from the Taiwan boxing governing body regarding the registration details,” Tseng said. “She has not considered withdrawing from the competition because of the new gender tests. We will submit all the relevant documents requested by the organizers as part of normal procedures.”

World Boxing, which will oversee boxing events at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, stated that the new policy is designed to provide a competitive level playing field. According to the organization, female boxers will undergo testing through polymerase chain reaction methods, utilizing nasal or mouth swabs, saliva, or blood samples to detect the presence of the Y chromosome.

In a statement, Boris van der Vorst, president of World Boxing, emphasized the organization’s commitment to inclusivity while prioritizing safety and fairness in combat sports. “We have a duty of care to ensure safety and competitiveness, which are key principles guiding the development of this policy,” he noted.

The announcement of gender testing has sparked reactions within the boxing community. Following the initial statement, Van der Vorst apologized for naming Khelif, acknowledging that her privacy should have been respected. Khelif was due to compete in a World Boxing tournament in the Netherlands in June but opted out after the testing policy was revealed.

Despite the challenges, Khelif has consistently affirmed her identity, stating, “I was born a woman,” and expressing her determination to defend her title at the Los Angeles Games. On social media, she has refuted claims made by her former manager regarding her retirement from the sport, calling it a betrayal of her trust and country.

As the World Boxing Championships approach, the implications of the new gender testing policy continue to unfold, raising questions about its impact on athletes and the sport’s future.