Philippines fighter Hergie Bacyadan, a female boxer who identifies as a trans man, said athletes born with XY chromosomes should not be allowed to compete in the women’s competition in Paris but should permitted to spar other female fighters.
The comments come after two female boxers at the Paris Olympics, who were disqualified at the 2023 world championships for failing gender tests, were given the greenlight to compete.
Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan and Imane Khelif of Algeria are competing at their second Summer Games after they finished outside the medals at the Tokyo Olympics held in 2021.
Both were removed from their competitions in New Delhi last year at the world championships, run by the International Boxing Association which has been separated from Olympic boxing since before the Tokyo Games.
While Lin was stripped of her bronze medal (by the IBA) after “failing to meet eligibility requirements based on the results of a biochemical test,” the IOC database stated.
Bacyadan, who has not transitioned, competed in the women’s 75kg division despite identifying as male outside the ring, suffering a knock out at the hands of China’s Li Qian.
Ahead of the bout the boxer wrote on social media: “I still consider myself as a trans-man because my heart says so”.
Philippines coaches declared “she was born a female and is a female” when quizzed about the fighter’s gender.
Ahead of the Olympics, Bacyadan sparred with male fighters in a bid to prepare for the Games, and said the practice is beneficial.
“I don’t feel anything anymore, my face is numb because my face is numb to men.
“It’s really a big help for men to be able to partner because they bring something different to the ring when they’re sparring with you.”
While Bacyadan agrees with men and women sparring, the fighter, speaking with the assistance of a translator, said athletes born with XY chromosomes should not be allowed to compete in the women’s competition.
Bacyadan also declared that fighters who have previously failed testosterone and gender-eligibility tests should be banned from competing in the women’s events.
Lin, 28, is a two-time gold medallist at the world championships and the 25-year-old Khelif won a silver at the 2022 tournament.
If Khelif can progress through the first round on Thursday, she could face Australian Marissa Williamson in the final eight.
The Aussie lost to Khelif at the Eindhoven Cup earlier this year, but Australia’s head boxing coach Santiago Nieba shut down claims Khelif had an unfair advantage.
“We fought her two months ago,” Nieba said. “She’s good, she’s tough, she’s strong, but I wasn’t under the impression we were fighting a man.
“We are prepared to fight anyone in front of us here. I understand this issue is not as black and white as many people want to make it.”
After qualifying for the quarters in the women’s 75kg class on Wednesday, Australian captain Caitlin Parker, said XY-chromosome fighters should not be allowed to compete.
Lin Yu-Ting. Xinhua News Agency via Getty Ima
“I don’t agree with them being allowed to compete in sport, especially combat sports,” Parker said.
“It can be incredibly dangerous. I don’t agree with it … it can be dangerous for combat sports and it should be seriously looked into.
“It’s good these things are coming out and bringing awareness. It’s being put under the spotlight to be looked into further and studied further.
“I really hope the organisations get their act together so that boxing can continue to be at the Olympics. Biologically, genetically they (XY-chromosome athletes) are going to have more advantages and in combat sports it can be dangerous.”
It’s understood the IOC appointed officials running the boxing events at the next two Summer Games did not deviate much from the rules in place at the Olympic Games eight years ago.
It’s understood the IOC appointed officials running the boxing events at the next two Summer Games did not deviate much from the rules in place at the Olympic Games eight years ago.
The IOC said the decision “to restrict amendments to minimise the impact on athletes’ preparation and guaranteeing consistency between Olympic Games.”
Khelif will fight Italy’s Angela Carini in the 66kg category, while Lin, who got a first-round bye as the top seed in the 5tkg, will have her opening bout Friday in the round of 16.
