Olympics

FROM envelopes stuffed with cash to “crooked” judges – Roy Jones Jr was robbed of a gold medal in Olympic boxing’s greatest-ever scandal.Jones, just 19 at the time, eased his way to the 1988 light-middleweight final in Seoul to face home boxer Park Si-Hun. America’s Roy Jones Jr was infamously beaten by South Korea’s Park Si-HunCredit: GettyEven referee Aldo Leoni was stunnedCredit: RexAnd he looked to have made easy work of South Korea’s Park – landing 86 shots to the 32 against him. Two standing eight-counts should have cemented Jones’ win and Olympic gold – but the fix was in. Because only two of the five judges scored in favour of the American – to the disgust of those watching on. After the shock result was read out, Italian referee Aldo Leoni is said to have whispered to Jones: “I can’t believe they’re doing this to you.”READ MORE ON OLYMPICSBob Kasule of Uganda, Uruguay’s Alberto Duran and Morocco’s Hiouad Larbi all shamefully scored the bout to Park. And in a sensational confession straight after the bout, Moroccan Larbi admitted he gave it to Park on purpose to avoid a humiliating whitewash.Larbi said: “The American won easily; so easily, in fact, that I was positive my four fellow judges would score the fight for the American by a wide margin. “So I voted for the Korean to make the score only 4-1 for the American and not embarrass the host country.”Most read in BoxingLarbi, Kasule and Duran were all suspended for six months pending an investigation – but they were eventually cleared by the International Boxing Association (AIBA).Jones was awarded the Val Barker trophy as the best boxer of the 1988 Olympics – and the irony was not missed on him. How Olympics defeat sparked Floyd Mayweather’s unbeaten pro legacy while rival’s career went wildly different directionHe told Joe Rogan in 2020: “Well, that’s a contradiction. How is the best boxer here not winning a gold medal?” The IOC investigated the result and in 1997 they concluded that, while officials had been wined and dined, there was “no evidence of corruption in the boxing events in Seoul”. In the years after Jones’ heartbreaking loss – more damning evidence came to light. Because Karl-Heinz Wuhr -the general secretary of AIBA – also worked for the secret police agency of the German Democratic Republic (East Germany).And when the Stasi’s secret files were released after the collapse of the Soviet Union, investigative journalist and author Andrew Jennings found allegations of outright bribery.Wuhr wrote: “They [the host nation] did not miss a chance to try to corrupt or influence me. I earned a gold medal that night in Seoul in 1988. Judges were crooked and I am sure they were not the only ones.Roy Jones Jr “They repeatedly attempted to persuade me to take back my decisions punishing judges they seemed to have an interest in. “There were always judges prepared to declare a South Korean boxer victor, even if this was completely ludicrous.”He alleged bribes had been paid to several judges, including three from Africa and one from South America.Ref Leoni – from Jones’ infamous bout – supported the allegations.He claimed an Argentine colleague had been offered an envelope stuffed with cash by the Korean boxing authorities.A stunned Jones questioned whether he would ever be able to box on in the aftermath of his Olympic devastation. But, it turned out to be a minor setback in an otherwise incredible career. ‘My life became gloomy’Jones went on to become boxing’s biggest star of the late 1990s and early 2000s while winning titles in four weight divisions. Park meanwhile lived to regret his tainted Olympic gold. He told AP: “I didn’t want my hand to be raised, but it did go up, and my life became gloomy because of that.“I keep thinking how my life would have been happier had I finished second.”The emotional stress was like like being hit with a hammer on the back of your head, again and again.“A gold medal is important, but isn’t any Olympic medal satisfying and glorious?”Park battled suicidal thoughts following the loss and contemplated moving country amid the backlash of a result he could not control. He retired from boxing after the controversy and spent 13 years as a high-school teacher before returning to the sport as a coach. Jones did actually stay in touch with Park years on from their infamous bout – but the sickening feeling of unfair defeat followed him. He said: “To see an opposition hand be raised by judges who were crooked, to have a wrong and injustice not being fixed.”I earned a gold medal that night in Seoul in 1988. Judges were crooked and I am sure they were not the only ones.”I can never forget that feeling, when they raised the Korean’s hand over mine.”Park returned to coach the South Korean boxing team from 2001. And Jones, 55, still continues to fight to this day, losing a decision to ex-UFC champ Anthony Pettis, 37, in April 2023.READ MORE SUN STORIESIn the years following his Olympic ordeal, he did receive a glimmer of redemption as two of the three judges were banned for life. Great Britain’s Richie Woodhall, South Korea’s Park Si-Hun and Roy Jones JrCredit: PA:Empics SportJones became one of boxing’s biggest ever starsCredit: ReutersJones and Park Si-hun remained in touchCredit: Maria Shvets More

THE boxing chief at the centre of the Olympic gender row claims he is being BLOCKED from releasing test results.Algerian and Taiwanese boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting’s respective participations in the Paris 2024 Games have caused quite a stir.Algeria’s Imane Khelif has been the subject of an international row due to an alleged failed gender eligibility test resultCredit: APTaiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting won her fight but some are questioning her participationCredit: Simon JonesIBA chief Chris Roberts has claimed he’s been BLOCKED from releasing the pair’s respective test resultsCredit: IBABoth women are competing at the Games 18 months after allegedly failing gender eligibility tests.Tests conducted by the Russian-backed IBA are said to have determined the pair tested positive for male XY chromosomes.As a result of those tests, the duo were disqualified from the Women’s World Championships.The International Olympic Committee have, however, permitted the women to compete and cast doubt on the reliability of the tests.READ MORE IN IMANE KHELIFThe IOC have suggested that Khelif and Yu-Ting have found themselves victims of a “politically motivated cultural war” whipped up by the IBA.But the IBA – who were formerly known as AIBA and are no longer recognised as a governing body by the IOC – have stood by their tests.Although they WON’T be releasing the details of the duo’s test results.During a frantic press conference on Monday, IBA Secretary General Chris Roberts said: “It’s never been our intention to bring any of this about. Most read in Boxing”We’re not allowed to give any information, but you can read between the lines what it means. IOC and Paris 2024 Boxing Unit statement in fullA look at the full statement issued by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit…Every person has the right to practise sport without discrimination.All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU). As with previous Olympic boxing competitions, the gender and age of the athletes are based on their passport.These rules also applied during the qualification period, including the boxing tournaments of the 2023 European Games, Asian Games, Pan American Games and Pacific Games, the ad hoc 2023 African qualifying tournament in Dakar (SEN) and two world qualifying tournaments held in Busto Arsizio (ITA) and Bangkok (THA) in 2024, which involved a total of 1,471 different boxers from 172 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), the Boxing Refugee Team and Individual Neutral Athletes, and featured over 2,000 qualification bouts.The PBU used the Tokyo 2020 boxing rules as a baseline to develop its regulations for Paris 2024. This was to minimise the impact on athletes’ preparations and guarantee consistency between Olympic Games. These Tokyo 2020 rules were based on the post-Rio 2016 rules, which were in place before the suspension of the boxing International Federation by the IOC in 2019 and the subsequent withdrawal of its recognition in 2023.We have seen in reports misleading information about two female athletes competing at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The two athletes have been competing in international boxing competitions for many years in the women’s category, including the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships and IBA-sanctioned tournaments.These two athletes were the victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA. Towards the end of the IBA World Championships in 2023, they were suddenly disqualified without any due process.According to the IBA minutes available on their website, this decision was initially taken solely by the IBA Secretary General and CEO. The IBA Board only ratified it afterwards and only subsequently requested that a procedure to follow in similar cases in the future be established and reflected in the IBA Regulations. The minutes also say that the IBA should “establish a clear procedure on gender testing”.The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was taken without any proper procedure – especially considering that these athletes had been competing in top-level competition for many years.Such an approach is contrary to good governance.Eligibility rules should not be changed during ongoing competition, and any rule change must follow appropriate processes and should be based on scientific evidence.The IOC is committed to protecting the human rights of all athletes participating in the Olympic Games as per the Olympic Charter, the IOC Code of Ethics and the IOC Strategic Framework on Human Rights. The IOC is saddened by the abuse that the two athletes are currently receiving.The IBA’s recognition was withdrawn by the IOC in 2023 following its suspension in 2019. The withdrawal of recognition was confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). See the IOC’s statement following the ruling.The IOC has made it clear that it needs National Boxing Federations to reach a consensus around a new International Federation in order for boxing to be included on the sports programme of the Olympic Games LA28.Olympics gender row erupts after female boxer quits against fighter disqualified from World Champs”We’re not in a position to share any results, but the IOC have seen them.”Roberts later added: “Yesterday evening and this morning, we’ve received letters from China and Algeria informing us we can’t disclose any info on boxers.”You can see what that means – again read between the lines.”The IBA stood by their decision to ban the pair in a defiant statement last week.They claimed the IOC are intentionally allowing Khelif and Yu-Ting to fight with “competitive advantages” over their opponents.And IBA President Umar Kremlev has claimed the Olympic governing body is killing women’s boxing.In a lengthy rant, he said: “Female boxing is being killed.”And I don’t want that to happen Women’s sport is being destroyed. We cannot allow it.’Khelif – who is competing in the Under-66kg division – was the subject to erroneous claims she was born a biological man after she forced Italy’s Angela Carini to quit a mere 46 seconds into their bout.And the 25-year-old issued a defiant statement to her critics on Sunday night.IBA president Umar Kremlev has claimed the IOC are killing women’s boxingCredit: AlamyShe said: “I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects.”It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people.”And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying.”Khelif broke down in tears after bagging a spot in Tuesday’s semi-finals with a points win over Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori last weekend and defiantly said: “I am a woman.”Reflecting on her outpouring of emotion, Khelif admitted: “I couldn’t control my nerves.”‘Because after the media frenzy and after the victory, there was a mix of joy and at the same time, I was greatly affected.”Because honestly, it wasn’t an easy thing to go through at all. It was something that harms human dignity.”READ MORE SUN STORIESKhelif will be back in action on Tuesday, taking on Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng for a place in Friday’s gold medal match.Under-57kg star Yu-Ting, meanwhile, will throw down with Turkey’s Esra Yildiz Kahraman.Piers Morgan has his sayThis is a more complicated case than the barrage of shameful transgender scandals which have engulfed women’s sport in recent years.Khelif reportedly has a condition called Swyer Syndrome which means she has some female reproductive organs but also much higher levels of testosterone than women.As a result, she has a superior physicality to females, which can be seen by her tall, powerful frame.In other words, she has an unfair advantage.And that’s why there’s been such a furious response, led by JK Rowling, Elon Musk, and Martina Navratilova, to the footage of Carini quitting after being smashed in the face.The obvious, indisputable, medical, and scientific, truth is that someone born with male biology of any kind has an obvious physical advantage over biological females. That’s why we keep the sexes apart in the Olympics. Otherwise, women would barely win a single medal.To pretend otherwise is to be either utterly deluded or wilfully dishonest.*Read Piers Morgan’s full article on Imane Khelif…Italy boxer Angela Carini quit a mere 46 seconds into her bout with Imane KhelifCredit: EPA More

FUMING Barry McGuigan told Olympic chiefs to “hang your heads in shame” after a boxer who failed a gender test battered her opponent.Italian Angela Carini, 25, quit her last-16 welterweight bout with “biological male” Imane Khelif after 46 SECONDS, insisting: “I had to safeguard my life.”Imane Khelif’s participation in the Paris 2024 Games has divided opinionCredit: GettyThe Algerian, who pummeled opponent Angela Carini, had previously failed a gender testCredit: GettyCarini abandoned the bout after a mere 46 seconds to protect herselfCredit: EPABarry McGuigan has blasted the IOC for allowing Imane Khelif to competeCredit: WILLIE VASSCarini sobbed in the ring and snubbed a handshake with Algerian Khelif, who had been disqualified from the Women’s World Championships 18 months ago and accused of “pretending to be a woman”.Former world featherweight champ McGuigan, 63, blasted: “Shocking, dangerous and profoundly unfair on women and girls.“IOC, hang your head in shame.”Olympic silver medallist swimmer Sharron Davies, 61, added: “The IOC are negligent in their duty of care to female boxers.READ MORE OLYMPICS NEWS“This is a biological male fighting a female and everyone can see it.“There is no ambiguity that the IOC do not care if a female gets seriously hurt. Or worse.”Khelif, 25, and Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu-ting, 28, who competes today, were both booted out of the World Championships in New Delhi in March 2023.The International Boxing Association claimed tests showed they have male XY chromosomes and raised levels of testosterone.Most read in BoxingOlympics gender controversyTHE International Olympic Committee (IOC) stirred up a huge controversy by clearing two women to box who had previously failed a gender test.Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting were disqualified at the Women’s World Championships in New Delhi, India, in March 2023.Lin Yu-ting was stripped of a bronze medal after failing a gender eligibility test.Khelif was disqualified in New Delhi for failing a testosterone level test.Officials found tests showed they had ‘XY chromosomes’ — which indicates a person is biologically male.Rare ‘intersex’ medical conditions, medically known as differences in sexual development (DSDs), can also mean outwardly female individuals can have ‘male’ chromosomes, or vice versa.The Russia-led International Boxing Association organised that event but is no longer recognised by the IOC.IOC spokesman Mark Adams said: “These athletes have competed many times before for many years, they haven’t just suddenly arrived – they competed in Tokyo.”The federation needs to make the rules to make sure that there is fairness but at the same time there is the ability for everyone to take part that wants to. That is a difficult balance.”In the end the experts for each sport are the people who work in that. If there is a big advantage that clearly is not acceptable, but that needs to be a decision made at that level.”Both Khelif and Lin competed at the delayed Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. Lin is a two-time winner at the Asian Women Amateur Boxing Championships.The IOC said all boxers in Paris “comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations”.The controversy follows the famous case of Caster Semenya.South African middle-distance runner Semenya has a condition which means her body naturally produces higher levels of testosterone than normal for women.She won gold in the 800m at London 2012 and Rio in 2016 but was unable to compete at Tokyo in 2021 after World Athletics brought in new rules independently of the IOC at the time.But, allowed to compete at the Olympics, Khelif pummeled Carini for 46 seconds, smashing her nose, before the Italian threw in the towel.A crying Carini, who was told by friends, family and the Italian government not to step into the ring, said: “It hurt so much.Olympics gender row erupts after female boxer quits against fighter disqualified from World Champs”I am heartbroken because I am a warrior but I couldn’t fight any more. I have never felt a punch like this.”Khelif faces Anna Luca Hamori in tomorrow’s quarter-finals. But the Hungarian, 23, roared: “I will win.”I’m not scared. If she or he is a man, it will be a bigger victory for me.”The IOC hit back by threatening to dump boxing out of the next Olympics if it does not get its house in order — and insisted eligibility rules will not be changed in Paris.They said: “All athletes participating in this Paris boxing tournament comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations.”The gender and age of the athletes are based on their passport.”IOC and Paris 2024 Boxing Unit statement in fullA look at the full statement issued by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit…Every person has the right to practise sport without discrimination.All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU). As with previous Olympic boxing competitions, the gender and age of the athletes are based on their passport.These rules also applied during the qualification period, including the boxing tournaments of the 2023 European Games, Asian Games, Pan American Games and Pacific Games, the ad hoc 2023 African qualifying tournament in Dakar (SEN) and two world qualifying tournaments held in Busto Arsizio (ITA) and Bangkok (THA) in 2024, which involved a total of 1,471 different boxers from 172 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), the Boxing Refugee Team and Individual Neutral Athletes, and featured over 2,000 qualification bouts.The PBU used the Tokyo 2020 boxing rules as a baseline to develop its regulations for Paris 2024. This was to minimise the impact on athletes’ preparations and guarantee consistency between Olympic Games. These Tokyo 2020 rules were based on the post-Rio 2016 rules, which were in place before the suspension of the boxing International Federation by the IOC in 2019 and the subsequent withdrawal of its recognition in 2023.We have seen in reports misleading information about two female athletes competing at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The two athletes have been competing in international boxing competitions for many years in the women’s category, including the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships and IBA-sanctioned tournaments.These two athletes were the victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA. Towards the end of the IBA World Championships in 2023, they were suddenly disqualified without any due process.According to the IBA minutes available on their website, this decision was initially taken solely by the IBA Secretary General and CEO. The IBA Board only ratified it afterwards and only subsequently requested that a procedure to follow in similar cases in the future be established and reflected in the IBA Regulations. The minutes also say that the IBA should “establish a clear procedure on gender testing”.The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was taken without any proper procedure – especially considering that these athletes had been competing in top-level competition for many years.Such an approach is contrary to good governance.Eligibility rules should not be changed during ongoing competition, and any rule change must follow appropriate processes and should be based on scientific evidence.The IOC is committed to protecting the human rights of all athletes participating in the Olympic Games as per the Olympic Charter, the IOC Code of Ethics and the IOC Strategic Framework on Human Rights. The IOC is saddened by the abuse that the two athletes are currently receiving.The IBA’s recognition was withdrawn by the IOC in 2023 following its suspension in 2019. The withdrawal of recognition was confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). See the IOC’s statement following the ruling.The IOC has made it clear that it needs National Boxing Federations to reach a consensus around a new International Federation in order for boxing to be included on the sports programme of the Olympic Games LA28. More

ANGELA CARINI’s feared for her life as she quit her controversial fight against Imane Khelif.The Italian fought her opponent, who previously failed a gender test, for just 46 seconds before throwing in the towel.Angela Carini was in tears as she revealed why she quitCredit: TwitterImane Khelif landed two powerful punches in the opening roundCredit: AFPCarini fell to her knees and cried as the result was confirmedCredit: APCarini, 25, was hit twice in the face in round one and after the first blow she walked over to her corner to seemingly have her chin strap adjusted.But after Khelif, 25, landed a second powerful blow, the fight was abruptly ended.Carini then refused to acknowledge and shake hands with the Algerian after the referee announced the winner of the 66kg welterweight bout.She then fell to her knees and began to cry.READ MORE ON OLYMPICSKhelif’s presence at the Olympics has been deemed controversial as she was disqualified from last year’s Women’s World Championships for failing to meet eligibility criteria.The International Olympic Committee said Khelif was disqualified in New Delhi for failing a testosterone level test.She is one of two athletes cleared to compete in Paris along with Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, who was stripped of a bronze medal at the World Champs for failing a gender eligibility test.Opening up on her decision to quit, Carini said: “I couldn’t carry on. I have a big pain in my nose and I said, ‘Stop’. Most read in Boxing”It’s better to avoid keeping going. My nose started dripping from the first hit.”It could be the match of my life but, in that moment, I had to safeguard my life, too. I felt to do this, I didn’t have any fear, I don’t have any fear of the ring or to get hit.Paris 2024 Olympics locked in cheating storm as swimming coach slams world record as ‘not humanly possible'”I fought very often in the national team. I train with my brother. I’ve always fought against men, but I felt too much pain today.”“I am heartbroken. I have big pain in my nose and blood on my finger.”She added: “I’m used to suffering. I’ve never taken a punch like that, it’s impossible to continue. I’m nobody to say it’s illegal.”I got into the ring to fight. But I didn’t feel like it anymore after the first minute. I started to feel a strong pain in my nose.”I didn’t give up, but a punch hurt too much and so I said enough. I’m leaving with my head held high.”I am sorry not to have taken Italy onto the podium. I entered the ring and I told myself I have to take out all of myself independently from the person I had in front of me.”And honestly, I don’t care. I said to myself, ‘This is my Olympics’. Independently, from all controversy, I just wanted to carry on and win.'”I am not one that easily surrenders. Even if they told me, let’s not fight, I would not have accepted it.”I am a fighter. My father taught me to be a warrior. “When I am in the ring, I use that mindset, the mindset of a warrior, a winning mindset. This time I couldn’t make it.”You all saw my nose that started bleeding. I didn’t lose tonight, I just surrendered with maturity.”Carini bears no ill will towards Khelif, saying: “I wish her to carry on until the end and that she can be happy. Olympics gender controversyTHE International Olympic Committee (IOC) stirred up a huge controversy by clearing two women to box who had previously failed a gender test.Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting were disqualified at the Women’s World Championships in New Delhi, India, in March 2023.Lin Yu-ting was stripped of a bronze medal after failing a gender eligibility test.Khelif was disqualified in New Delhi for failing a testosterone level test.Officials found tests showed they had ‘XY chromosomes’ — which indicates a person is biologically male.Rare ‘intersex’ medical conditions, medically known as differences in sexual development (DSDs), can also mean outwardly female individuals can have ‘male’ chromosomes, or vice versa.The Russia-led International Boxing Association organised that event but is no longer recognised by the IOC.IOC spokesman Mark Adams said: “These athletes have competed many times before for many years, they haven’t just suddenly arrived – they competed in Tokyo.”The federation needs to make the rules to make sure that there is fairness but at the same time there is the ability for everyone to take part that wants to. That is a difficult balance.”In the end the experts for each sport are the people who work in that. If there is a big advantage that clearly is not acceptable, but that needs to be a decision made at that level.”Both Khelif and Lin competed at the delayed Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. Lin is a two-time winner at the Asian Women Amateur Boxing Championships.The IOC said all boxers in Paris “comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations”.The controversy follows the famous case of Caster Semenya.South African middle-distance runner Semenya has a condition which means her body naturally produces higher levels of testosterone than normal for women.She won gold in the 800m at London 2012 and Rio in 2016 but was unable to compete at Tokyo in 2021 after World Athletics brought in new rules independently of the IOC at the time.”I am someone who doesn’t judge anyone. I am not here to give judgements.”I simply entered the ring to fight and to fight for my dream. It didn’t happen. Evidently, God and my father wanted this and I accept it.”I am not in the position of saying this is right or wrong. I am not. “I did my job as a boxer, entering the ring and fighting. “I didn’t manage to, but I am exiting with my head held high and with a broken heart. I am a mature woman, the ring is my life. “I’ve always been very instinctive, but when I feel something is not going well, it’s not a surrender but having the maturity to stop.”After booking passage to the next round, Khelif said: “God willing, this was the first victory. “God is willing me to the golden one. Khelif later added added: “Difficult for a first fight.”Inshallah [if Allah wills it]) for the second fight. I am very prepared because it’s been eight years of preparation.”It’s my second Olympic Games after fifth place at Tokyo. ‘I need an Olympic medal here in Paris.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We will see who will win the second fight to know who will be the opponent.”We will be ready and we will do everything to bring back a medal for Algeria. One, two, three, viva Algeria.” More