Controversial Boxers Advance to Gold Medal Bouts at Paris Olympics

Boxers Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan and Imane Khelif of Algeria advanced to gold medal bouts at the Paris Olympics amid widespread controversy regarding their gender.

Key Details: On Friday, Khelif will face Yang Liu of China in the welterweight division. On Saturday, Yu-ting will face Julie Szeremeta of Poland in the women's featherweight division.

Key Quotes: Khelif, through an interpreter, said, "I don't care about that {the controversy}. I wish to be ready and show a good standard, show my talent, because I want to entertain everyone.” Lin, through an interpreter, said, “I will use everything I’ve learned in my life to do my best in the next match.”

For Context: Khelif and Yu-ting were disqualified from the World Boxing Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) for reportedly failing gender eligibility tests in 2023 that indicated their "competitive advantages over other female competitors.” Some have questioned the verity of the IBA tests, and the IBA hasn't publicized the methodology.

How the Media Covered It: Both fighters have been framed as dominant by news sources across the spectrum, but with different connotations. The Associated Press (Lean Left bias) said Yu-ting and Khelif advanced despite "massive distractions" and "misconceptions" about their gender. The New York Post (Lean Right) said their "eligibility has been called into question."

Why the Difference? There is disagreement about whether Khelif and Yu-ting should be allowed to compete in women's boxing due to their alleged biological advantages.