International Boxing Association chief Umar Kremlev voiced that the International Olympic Committee should strip Algerian boxer Imane Khelif of the gold she claimed in the women鈥檚 63 Kg category at the Paris Olympics 2024, and held former IOC chief Thomas Bach responsible for the pugilists participation in the quadrennial event despite the furore about her gender.
Khelif was at the midst of the gender controversy that surrounded the Olympics in Paris but the Algerian did not let the storm get to her as she managed to claim the top-spot in her category.
鈥淭here is a lot of corruption surrounding the IOC, and many violations of good sporting principles,鈥 Kremlev said.
鈥淭he IOC is not fighting for the fairness in sport. The IOC is giving away medals based on their political interests. Imane Khelif should be made to return the Olympic medal from Paris,鈥 he continued.
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Kremlev reflected on the two times Khelfi had failed the gender eligibility test, due to presence of XY chromosome, first in 2022 and then again in 2023 and was disqualified from IBA events. Bach, however, gave the green light for the participation of Khelif at the global spectacle.
鈥淭he first test was carried out during the 2022 World Championships, after we noticed some suspicious, suspicious moments. We decided to test a group of athletes, not just one or two. Two of the results came back, let鈥檚 say, abnormal,鈥 Kremlev revealed.
鈥業t was the first time we had encountered a situation like this, so we felt it was necessary to conduct a second round of testing to be absolutely sure before making such a serious decision,鈥 he added.
Kremlev went on to snipe at Bach stating that the German鈥檚 decisions were often politically motivated.
鈥楾homas Bach has always put politics to the podium, not the athletes who should be there in fact. And that鈥檚 why a lot of sponsors have refused working the IOC further, because they are violating sports principles,鈥 Kremlev continued.
鈥淭homas Bach is leaving his position and running away like a rat,鈥 he added.
鈥淗e should kneel and apologise to all the female boxers who became victims of this situation. And he should financially compensate every athlete who suffered. And of course, the Olympic medals should be returned,鈥 he added.
Bach, who made way for new IOC chief Kirsty Coventry at the helm of the international body, barred Russian athletes from taking part at the Olympics under the country鈥檚 banner due to Russia鈥檚 unprovoked attack on Ukraine. Kremlev questioned as to why Bach did not address the conflicts in the middle-east in the same manner.
鈥榃hy is he putting everything on Russia鈥檚 shoulders? Why doesn鈥檛 he comment on the situation between Israel and Iran, or between Israel and Gaza?鈥
Kremlev went to on laud USA President Donald Trump for his stance on the participation of transgender women in women鈥檚 sport.
鈥楢s you know, Donald Trump signed an order stating that women鈥檚 sport is for women and men鈥檚 sport is for men. I鈥檓 absolutely confident that no one will be able to bypass this at the Olympic Games now, because the rules have become very strict,鈥 the 42-year-old said.
鈥楨veryone is copying us 鈥 they鈥檙e conducting gender tests and are now being forced to do so. What we were calling for all along, the rest of the world is finally doing. They can鈥檛 avoid it anymore, because the order has been signed 鈥 it鈥檚 now law in the United States,鈥 the Russian added.
鈥淓veryone talks about inclusion. But in the ring, there are rules. And rules are there to protect. Without them, we don鈥檛 have sport. We just have chaos,鈥 he signed off.