The International Boxing Association (IBA) has announced plans to take legal action against the International Olympic Committee (IOC) over transgender participation at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The decision follows former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent executive order banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports.

The IBA claims Trump’s "Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports" order supports their stance on protecting female boxers from what they call “unfair competition.” The organization specifically opposes the IOC’s decision to allow Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting to compete and win gold medals at the Games.

IBA's Stand on Gender Eligibility

IBA President Umar Kremlev emphasized that the organization’s actions aim to safeguard the integrity of female boxing and urged other International Federations to follow suit.

“President Trump’s order banning transgender athletes from women’s sports validates IBA’s efforts to protect female boxers. Our actions are intended to ensure gender equality in boxing, and we encourage other federations to stand with us,” Kremlev said.

The IBA has announced plans to file formal complaints with attorneys general in Switzerland, France, and the U.S. regarding the IOC’s stance on transgender inclusion.

Kremlev further encouraged affected boxers to take legal action against IOC President Thomas Bach and his team, promising free legal support for athletes who feel their rights were violated.

“This is a clear violation of human rights and an outrage against female boxers. It is a crime that should be punished accordingly. In my personal opinion, Thomas Bach should take full responsibility for this,” Kremlev added.

Controversy in Nigerian Boxing

The announcement has fueled ongoing debates in Nigerian boxing, where interim Nigeria Boxing Federation (NBF) President Azania Omo-Agege has called for a National Assembly probe into the federation’s affiliation with World Boxing.

Omo-Agege criticized the NBF’s decision to align with an organization that supports transgender athletes, claiming it violates Nigeria’s constitution and was made without consulting board members and key stakeholders.

“Let them come and explain to Nigerians how they aligned the Nigeria Boxing Federation with a boxing body that supports transgender athletes without proper consultation,” Omo-Agege said.

Additionally, the IBA announced stricter gender eligibility verification measures for the upcoming Women’s World Boxing Championships in Niš, reaffirming its commitment to ensuring a “fair and equitable sporting environment.”

Meanwhile, Omo-Agege has called on former NBF President Kenneth Minimah to appear before lawmakers and explain the federation’s decision to affiliate with World Boxing.