Sport organisations must protect women\u2019s sport, says International Boxing Association (IBA) president Umar Kremlev.<\/p>\n
Kremlev was reacting to a statement by US President Donald Trump on Imane Khelif, an Olympic boxing champion from Algeria, who is at the centre of one of the messiest gender debates in sport.<\/p>\n
She punched her way to the top, snagging silver at the 2022 World Championships and gold at the African Championships the same year.<\/p>\n
In the 2024 Paris Olympics, she became the first Algerian woman to win a gold medal in the women\u2019s welterweight category.<\/p>\n
Algeria was proud but just as her star was rising, the noise around her gender identity started to get loud. <\/p>\n
In 2023, at the World Championships in New Delhi, the IBA had disqualified Khelif, saying she didn\u2019t meet its gender eligibility rules.<\/p>\n
But the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stepped in and gave her the go-ahead to continue with her career, adding Khelif was born female, lives as a woman and holds a female passport. <\/p>\n
For the IOC, that was enough. It accused the IBA of botching the issue and possibly spreading misinformation.<\/p>\n
Leaked medical documents last year suggested Khelif might have XY chromosomes, which is what reignited the debate \u2014 not just regarding her, but sport in general.<\/p>\n
Khelif is a fighter but her biggest fight might be outside the ring.<\/p>\n
Kremlev has urged international sporting organisations to urgently develop clear, enforceable policies to protect women\u2019s sport and to ban transgender athletes from all female competitions.<\/p>\n
His appeal followed recent remarks by Trump in apparent reference to the controversy. Trump stressed the importance of strict rules to protect female athletes, stating: \u201cYou have policy on your side \u2014 they don\u2019t have policy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kremlev said this comment highlights a core problem facing modern sport; many disciplines continue to debate sensitive issues without having clearly defined rules in place, while women\u2019s sport suffers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe remember the last Olympic Games not for sporting records or bright emotions, but for Paris becoming a symbol of mockery towards women and their rights. <\/p>\n
\u201cUnfortunately, no one has yet taken responsibility for what happened by allowing ineligible boxers to compete. <\/p>\n
\u201cNow, a firm decision is needed at the state level to protect female athletes. I would like to thank President Trump once again for his strong position on banning transgender athletes from women\u2019s sport last year. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt demonstrates clear leadership moving forward, ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games and sets an important example for respective heads of state. <\/p>\n
\u201cNow is the time for all sports to develop policies like boxing; transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete against women,\u201d Kremlev stated.<\/p>\n
He said the IBA has established a formal policy to protect women\u2019s categories through defining gender within the body\u2019s technical and competition rules and gender tests during IBA competitions.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur responsibility is to protect the women\u2019s categories so that female athletes can compete on equal terms, knowing that the rules are applied strictly, consistently and transparently,\u201d said Kremlev.<\/p>\n
This is exactly what women athletes deserve; certainty, protection and fairness<\/p>\n
\u201cIn boxing, we chose the most honest path, to ban transgender athletes from female events via establishing eligibility criteria.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is exactly what women athletes deserve; certainty, protection and fairness.\u201d<\/p>\n
He added that it is no longer acceptable for international federations to postpone decisions or hide behind vague principles.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is time for all sports to develop policies similar to boxing; transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete against women,\u201d Kremlev stated. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen policy is missing, female athletes pay the price as we have seen during the Paris 2024 Games. <\/p>\n
\u201cWomen deserve to compete knowing that their category is protected by consistently applied rules as we have in boxing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kremlev emphasised that athletes should never become instruments in political or ideological agendas.<\/p>\n
\u201cBoxing has shown that this is possible \u2014 now it is high time others took the same responsibility and protect the future of women\u2019s sport. <\/p>\n
\u201cI thank President Donald Trump once again for his clear and active position in defending the truth and standing up for women\u2019s sport. <\/p>\n
\u201cI hope more heads of state and sporting organisations will show the same leadership and put an end to attempts to undermine and discredit female competition through gender issues\u201d.<\/p>\n
Kremlev called for unity among world sports leaders, stressing that a collective and co-ordinated approach is essential to safeguard the integrity of women\u2019s competitions. <\/p>\n
He urged international federations to collaborate in establishing universal standards that prioritise fairness, safety and respect for female athletes. <\/p>\n
\u201cOnly through decisive and united action, can the sporting community restore trust and ensure that women\u2019s sport continues to flourish without controversy or uncertainty.\u201d<\/p>\n