The nation has also struck back with force at JK Rowling after the author wrote, alongside an image of Lin and Khelif: “What will it take to end this insanity? A female boxer left with life-altering injuries? A female boxer killed?” The Liberty Times, a Taiwanese newspaper, responded: “It’s one thing to criticise transgender issues, but our Lin Yu-ting is completely not transgender. If JK Rowling can’t tell the difference, this editor suggests she focuses on writing novels.” A city councillor in Taipei has insisted that Lin was “registered female at birth”.
Almost by the hour, it is a controversy gathering in global resonance. Even Elon Musk has joined in the outrage in the wake of Khelif’s performance, endorsing efforts to start “I Stand with Angela Carini” trending on social media. The IOC’s desperate appeals for the temperature to be taken out of the debate are not working. Not when Khelif has another bout scheduled on Saturday, against Anna Luca Hamori, a Hungarian who has shared a picture depicting the Algerian as a beast.
An us-against-the-world mentality is forming in Algeria and Tawain
While there was no clear booing of Lin as the fighters entered North Paris Arena, the crowd were firmly in Turdibekova’s favour, stomping their feet and chanting “Uzbekistan”. Both boxers refused to stop for interviews afterwards. Elsewhere in the city, the mood was tense. A group of women’s rights protesters had travelled from London to gather in Place de la Republique, where they chanted: “The IOC, the world can see, champions of misogyny.” A “Save Women’s Sports” banner was draped at the foot of the iconic statue of Marianne.
Reactions could scarcely be more polarised. Although there has been international condemnation that a pair of fighters with failed testosterone tests have been permitted to compete, their compatriots are livid. “Cry!” was the Algerian football team’s taunting message to critics of Khelif.
An us-against-the-world mentality is forming in the two countries, and it could yet grow more pronounced. Khelif is a realistic contender to take the Olympic welterweight title, having already reached one gold-medal bout at world level, while Lin is a No 1 seed. The further they advance, the greater the heat on the IOC becomes. In this febrile atmosphere, the very essence of fair sport is at stake.