International Olympic Committee (IOC) has come to the defense of two female boxers caught in a gender eligibility controversy that has rocked the 2024 Summer Games.

The dispute centers around Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, who faced significant backlash after failing gender eligibility tests and being disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) during the 2023 World Championships in New Delhi.

The controversy intensified on Thursday when Khelif's victory over Italy's Angela Carini, which led to Carini’s withdrawal just 46 seconds into their fight, sparked widespread debate.

The IOC, which does not require gender eligibility tests, quickly issued a statement backing Khelif and Lin. The committee criticized the IBA’s decision as "arbitrary" and lacking due process. The IOC emphasized that both athletes have competed in international boxing events, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, without prior issues related to their gender eligibility.

The IOC's statement highlighted that the athletes were unfairly disqualified by the IBA without appropriate procedure, calling the decision contrary to good governance. They stressed that eligibility rules should not be altered mid-competition and must be based on scientific evidence.

The dispute reflects ongoing tensions between the IOC and the IBA, which has faced criticism for alleged governance and integrity failures. The IOC reiterated its commitment to upholding human rights and fair competition standards as outlined in the Olympic Charter and the IOC Code of Ethics.