The International Boxing Association (IBA) has launched legal action against the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over its inclusion of gender eligibility row boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting at the Paris 2024 Games.

Citing President Trump’s recent order banning trans athletes from women’s sport, the IBA said it was filing official complaints with the attorney generals of Switzerland, France and the US, which it claims could lead to criminal prosecution or compensation.

Khelif of Algeria and Yu-ting of Taiwan were assigned female at birth and identify as women, so were permitted by the IOC to compete at the Paris Olympics – where they both won gold medals – despite the IBA previously declaring them ineligible. 

“President Trump’s order to ban transgender athletes from women’s sport validates IBA’s efforts to protect the integrity of female sports,” said IBA President Umar Kremlev. 

“Our actions aim to ensure gender equality in boxing. We urge other international federations to follow IBA’s example, as we are uniquely positioned to address this issue and advocate for our athletes’ rights.”

The IBA added that it would financially support any athletes who wished to make similar complaints against the IOC and its outgoing president Thomas Bach. 

“In my personal opinion, Thomas Bach should take the full responsibility for this, as he was in charge when it happened, and he needs to compensate the damages caused, if the court or any other instance rules this,” said Kremlev.