Transgender Olympics boxer hits out at 'unfair' scrutiny in Imane Khelif gender row
The only transgender boxer at the 2024 Olympics has set the record straight regarding two boxers who have competed in the female category in Paris.
The only transgender boxer to fight at the 2024 Olympics in Paris has defended Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting and hit out at "unfair scrutiny" placed upon the fighters.
Hergie Bacyadan, who identifies as a transgender man, was allowed to compete in Paris by the International Olympics Committee (IOC). Bacyadan emphasised that he has adhered to all Olympic requirements and is biologically a woman, adding that "despite any misconceptions about my appearance or identity, my qualifications as a female boxer remain intact".
The Philippines fighter was beaten at the Olympics by Tokyo silver medalist Li Quan of China, who is a biological woman.
But after watching fighters such as Khelif come under fire following her 46-second win over Angela Carini, Bacyadan thinks Khelif and Lin have been scrutinised in an "unfounded" and "unfair" way.
"I am fully aware that these two athletes are cisgender women. I have met them personally, and they are unquestionably women, fully qualified and deserving of their place in the competition," Bacyadan said in a statement on Instagram.
"The criticism they are receiving on social media is entirely unfounded and unjust. As a fellow athlete, I understand the pressures and judgments that come with the territory, but this level of unfounded scrutiny is unfair to them."
It comes after Algeria's Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, who were judged last year to have failed gender eligibility tests and were banned from fighting in the world championships, made it through to the latter stages of their respective Olympic categories.
Lin won a bronze medal, while Khelif is going for gold.
Responding to questions about his own participation in the Games, Bacyadan set the record straight after pointing to misinformation and confusion about their eligibility.
"Regarding my own eligibility, I want to emphasize that I have adhered to all Olympic requirements and am biologically a woman. Despite any misconceptions about my appearance or identity, my qualifications as a female boxer remain intact," Bacyadan said.
"I hope this message helps clear up any misunderstandings and puts an end to the spread of false information."
After his loss, Bacyadan wrote on social media: "It's sad to think of losing, but I'm still very thankful that I got to the Olympics. It's a big deal to me."
All eyes will be on Khelif, 25, as she takes on Luca Anna Hamori of Hungary in the gold medal match, while Lin faces Australia fighter Tina Rahimi in the featherweight category.
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