Olympic gold medalist Lin Yu-ting has been cleared to return to competition following approval of her sex eligibility, with her comeback set for the Asian Boxing Championships starting March 29 in Mongolia.
The decision was announced by World Boxing after a review process linked to new eligibility rules introduced last year. Lin had been absent from international events since the policy change, which requires athletes to undergo a one-time genetic test to identify the presence of a Y chromosome.
Lin’s case drew attention following her gold medal win at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where she and Algeria’s Imane Khelif competed under previous eligibility rules. Their victories sparked widespread debate and scrutiny over gender eligibility standards in Olympic boxing.
World Boxing confirmed that an appeal process was carried out by the Chinese Taipei Boxing Association, though it did not disclose specific test results. Secretary general Tom Dielen acknowledged the difficulty of the situation, stating that the process aimed to ensure “safety and sporting integrity” while being correctly applied.
The governing body also outlined that its policy includes further evaluation for athletes, such as hormonal and anatomical assessments, alongside genetic screening. With clearance now granted, Lin is set to resume her career on the international stage after months of uncertainty.
Image Credit: Sky Sports