Harry Potter author JK Rowling condemns Olympics for allowing Taiwanese boxer who failed gender test to compete at Paris 2024

Best-selling author JK Rowling is coming out strongly against the International Olympic Committee’s (IOC) decision to allow boxers Lin Yuting from Taiwan and Algeria’s Imane Khelif to participate in the Paris 2024 games.
Taiwan’s Yuting, 28, and Algeria’s Imane, 28 were previously disqualified from the world championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) last year for failing gender eligibility tests.
“A female boxer left with life-threatening injuries? A female boxer killed?” Rowling questioned on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The 59-year-old further pleaded with the IOC to “end this insanity”.
The Harry Potter author is no stranger to controversy and has been openly against the transgender community, calling it “the greatest assault of [her] lifetime”.
Yuting’s disqualification from the IBA saw her getting stripped of her bronze medal while Imane was banned just hours from a gold medal showdown match.
The test showed both Yuting and Imane possessed XY chromosomes and were then excluded from the sport.
Males have XY chromosomes though females with Swyer syndrome have been known to also possess the same genetic make-up.
However, the IOC has ignored the IBA’s ruling, and in response, defended its decision in a statement saying it used regulations from previous games to influence its law-making.
It also pointed out that all athletes have fulfilled eligibility and entry regulations, as well as medical regulations.Rowling isn’t the only person against the inclusion of Yuting and Imane.
Australian boxer Caitlin Parker also disagrees with the IOC’s decision and calls it “incredibly dangerous”
“It’s not like I haven’t sparred men before. But you know it can be dangerous for combat sports, and it should be seriously looked into,” she said.
According to Yuting’s coach, Tseng Tzuchiang, the athlete “lost it” after reading insults directed at her on social media.
“I told her: if you trust me, give me your mobile phone, say nothing to them, and get some sleep. I will tackle this for you, and with you,” said the coach.
JK’s views on trans rights have since put her at odds with actors Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson who both starred in the movie adaptions of the Harry Potter franchise.
Both Daniel and Emma even spoke out against JK’s stance on gender identity in 2020.
In April earlier this year, JK took aim at celebs who “had used platforms to cheer on the transitioning of minors”.
She even went as far to say she would “never forgive” Daniel and Emma even if they want to make amends with her.
Photos: ETToday, 8world, imae_khleif_10/IG
Catch Lin Yuting’s boxing match on mewatch this Friday (August 2).
Catch the Olympics Games Paris 2024 LIVE with 17 dedicated channels on mewatch. Sign in now at mewatch.sg/paris2024 and get into the action with Mediacorp, Singapore’s Olympics Network.