Prominent author and women’s rights advocate JK Rowling has openly criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for permitting a biological male to compete in the women’s boxing category at the Paris Olympics. This controversy arose after Angela Carini conceded her bout against Imane Khelif, citing Khelif’s significant physical advantage.
Rowling, known for her staunch opposition to biological males competing in women’s sports, took to social media to voice her outrage. She shared video clips of the match on X, asking, “Watch this (whole thread), then explain why you’re OK with a man beating a woman in public for your entertainment. This isn’t sport.”
Khelif, who has XY chromosomes, was previously disqualified from the Delhi world championships due to failing a sex test. Despite this, the IOC allowed Khelif to compete in the Paris Olympics, a decision that has sparked widespread criticism. Reports suggest Khelif may have a disorder of sex development (DSD), which complicates the matter.
Rowling quoted Telegraph writer Suzanne Moore, who argued that individuals with DSD should choose not to compete in women’s sports to avoid unfair advantages. “They can choose not to cheat; they can choose not to take medals from women; they can choose not to cause injury,” Rowling emphasized.
Rowling also supported athlete Riley Gaines’s campaign “#IStandWithAngelaCarini” and criticized the IOC’s head of Safe Sport, Kirsty Burrows. “A young female boxer has just had everything she’s worked and trained for snatched away because you allowed a male to get in the ring with her,” Rowling stated. “You’re a disgrace, your ‘safeguarding’ is a joke and #Paris24 will be forever tarnished by the brutal injustice done to Carini.”
British Olympic medalist Sharron Davies also voiced her concerns, highlighting the unfairness and danger posed by allowing chromosomally male athletes to compete against females. “Testosterone levels are an utter red herring in all of this,” Davies stated, pointing out the biological advantages.
Carini, who sustained injuries during the match, expressed her frustration and fear, saying, “It’s not fair.” This incident has reignited the debate over the inclusion of biological males in women’s sports, with significant implications for competitive fairness and athlete safety.
