'Chromosomes Can't Define Gender' Why are IOC and IBA at odds with women's boxing at the Paris Olympics
Aug 06, 2024
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"'XX chromosome is female and XY chromosome is male.'"
It is basic common sense learned through the secondary curriculum. However, the boundaries of this common sense are faltering. It has the XY chromosome, but it can also be female. You can also grow into a male while being born with the XX chromosome. Ironically, the development of science is the basis for shaking up the existing common sense system. In the meantime, it has become an era in which a new gender system emerges. There is also a heated debate over the relationship between gender and DNA.
This situation is evident at the 2024 Paris Olympics. In women's boxing, 'gender controversy' is raging. The International Boxing Association (IBA) and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are in sharp conflict over the gender of Imane Caliph (26, Algeria) and Lin Whiting (28, Taiwan), who competed in women's boxing at the Olympics. In this confrontation, not only differences in biological perspectives but also sports political backgrounds are largely present.
▶Calif and Lin Whiting, male or female
Imane Caliph and Lin Whiting competed in the women's 66kg class and 57kg class at the Paris Olympics, respectively. They have all secured bronze medals at the Paris Olympics, outperforming their competitors. Caliph beat Hungary's Unner Lutzer Hermori by decision in the quarterfinals on the 3rd. Lin Whiting also defeated the Bulgarian in the quarterfinals on the 4th and reached the semifinals to secure at least a bronze medal.
However, they are all caught up in 'gender controversy'. He was disqualified at the World Championships in New Delhi, India, held in March last year. As for their disqualification at the time, the IBA said "DNA tests confirmed that they had the XY chromosome." In other words, they were disqualified because they were all biologically 'male'.
However, the IOC denied the IBA's decision, allowing them to participate in the Olympics. The IOC declared that there was no problem with their participation in the Olympics, saying 'Chromosome alone cannot determine gender. In the end, they won the right to participate in the Paris Olympics and are on a roll on the Olympic stage.
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Currently, the scientific community is expressing considerable doubts about the simple classification of the existing 'XY chromosome = male, XX chromosome = female'. In fact, it has the XY chromosome, but there are many cases where it was born in the appearance of a woman, not a man, and raised as a woman. Athletes from this background are sometimes referred to as 'Differences of Scientific Development (DSD) athletes'.
Caliphate and Lin Whiting are also likely to be the case. Both have grown into women since these days and have competed in women's boxing events. It is not a transgender person who has undergone gender transition surgery. For this reason, the IOC can be seen as saying that their gender cannot be determined only by chromosomes.
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However, the IBA still insists that they are 'ineligible'. Chris Roberts, president of the IBA, said in a press conference in France on the 5th (Korean time) that `Calif and Lin Whiting were first tested (gender) at the 2022 Istanbul World Championships in Turkiye, and did not take action because the results of the test were not clear"We conducted a second inspection at the World Championships in New Delhi, India, last year, and were disqualified under the IBA regulations. "
Secretary-General Roberts said, `Chromosome tests have shown that both players are ineligible"We delivered the relevant data to the IOC in June last year, but the IOC did nothing about it."
However, the IOC raised questions about the IBA's testing process and fairness. According to the BBC, it is not clear whether the test conducted by the 'IBA is a chromosome test or a testosterone level test. IBA President Umar Kremlev and Secretary General Roberts are at odds, he noted.
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In particular, IBA President Kremlev focused on criticizing the IOC regardless of the debate. This can be attributed to complaints about the IOC's expulsion of the IBA last year due to the biased judgment of referees, financial difficulties, and game manipulation. Currently, the Paris Olympics are organized by the Paris Boxing Unit (PBU), a temporary boxing organization established by the IOC. The IOC has expressed that boxing will be excluded from the 2028 LA Olympics unless boxing federations in member countries form a new international league.
wman@sportschosun.com
