British author J.K. Rowling has expressed her outrage over the participation of boxers who have not undergone gender testing at the Olympic Games. She believes this will “tarnish” the upcoming Olympics in Paris.
On August 1, Italian boxer Angela Carini refused to continue her fight in the round of 16 in the women's featherweight category (up to 64 kg) against transgender athlete Imane Khelif from Algeria, who allegedly had not passed a gender test. Carini stopped the match at 46 seconds in, declaring that the contest was unfair, and left the ring in tears.
Rowling also shared a photo of the crying Carini, pointing out the erroneous decision of the “woman-hating” sports organization to match a female athlete against a 'male' athlete.
A young female boxer has just had everything she’s worked and trained for snatched away because you allowed a male to get in the ring with her. You're a disgrace, your 'safeguarding' is a joke and #Paris24 will be forever tarnished by the brutal injustice done to Carini.
Imane Khelif from Algeria and Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan, who were disqualified from the 2023 World Championships due to failed gender tests, were allowed to compete in the Paris Olympics. The reasons for their disqualification at the 2023 Championships were not officially disclosed, but according to Inside the Games, it was related to elevated testosterone levels. The IOC believes that the testosterone test is not an ideal tool for determining gender.
J.K. Rowling has faced repeated criticism for transphobia over her comments questioning transgender identity and the distinctions between trans women and cisgender women, as well as criticizing the language and terminology used regarding transgender individuals.