“Make it make sense!” tweeted champion Amanda Serrano last year, slamming Team USA’s rationale for allowing men, who had undergone a gender transition, to participate in events meant for biological women. The sensitive gender issue finally surfaced at the Paris Olympics that began last week. The participation of two boxers who previously failed to clear the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) gender-related eligibility rules in women’s boxing seems to have snowballed into a major controversy.

The issue gained prominence with the inaugural win of Algeria’s Imane Khelif against Italy’s Angela Carini in the round of 16. Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting is scheduled for a bout on Friday. Although the IBA had disqualified Khelif and Yu-ting from the 2023 World Championship, the IOC accepted their participation. Several voices have now raised their concerns over the matter. In his weekly chat, Oscar De La Hoya addressed the point. Pouring his heart out, the Olympic gold medalist suggested some concrete measures for the next Summer Olympics.

Oscar De La Hoya spews fire

Oscar De La Hoya shared how he generally takes up at least three hot topics to discuss on his ‘Thursday Clapback’. But the current situation in women’s boxing at the Olympics prompted him to abandon the format. Hence, he would be restricting himself to the IOC’s decision to permit boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting to compete.

“What in the f**k is going on?” he said, highlighting that winning the 1992 Barcelona Olympics gold medal remains the highlight of his journey in boxing. “In Paris this year, where two biological men are competing against biological women in the sport of boxing? The IOC allowed this to happen, and it’s saying it’s okay because they are females in their passports! Wait, what? Are you kidding me?” he said. Expressing disbelief and alarm at the action, he further added, “I’ve lost all my respect for the IOC.”

Speaking about the safety of the boxers, ‘The Golden Boy’ cited the instance as unacceptable. The next Olympics will take place in Los Angeles. So the former world champion made it clear that he would petition the International Olympic Committee to debar such participation in the games’ 34th edition.

Responding to the news report on her Instagram story, Mike Tyson‘s daughter, Milan Tyson, stated, “This is not okay.”

The other angle

On its part, the IOC defended its actions in allowing the participation of boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting. In a piece, Reuters shared the statement from the Olympic Games’ governing body. “The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was taken without any proper procedure – especially considering that these athletes had been competing in top-level competition for many years. The IOC is saddened by the abuse that the two athletes are currently receiving. Every person has the right to practice sport without discrimination.”

But then, on the other hand, the IBA reportedly criticized the ‘inconsistencies in eligibility’. According to their statement, both Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting reportedly did not meet the requirements needed to take part in events prescribed under the female category. Justifying the urgency behind disqualifying the boxers, they emphasized maintaining safety standards.

Imane Khelif has entered the quarterfinals. Lin Yu-ting, on the other hand, will face her opponent at the North Paris Arena on August 2.

What is your take on Oscar De la Hoya’s views?