Fighter jet takes Taiwanese athlete home; boxer suspected of gender identity not suing IBA

The flight carrying the Taiwanese athletes departed from Paris and arrived in Taiwan at 1 p.m. on August 13. This was done under special instructions from Taiwan's leader, Lai Ching-te. The Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense had arranged the jets two days earlier. The ROCAF spokesperson affirmed that this action was to show gratitude for the special achievements of the Taiwanese Olympic team at Paris 2024.

“The Taiwanese Olympic athletes performed exceptionally well, beyond our expectations. The Taiwanese Air Force dispatched three F-16V fighter jets to fly with them in the air. Not only that, when they arrived in the country, we also performed a fireworks display to thank the athletes who brought glory to us,” added a spokesperson for the Taiwanese Ministry of National Defense.

By the 2024 Paris Olympics, Taiwan will have a total of 60 athletes competing in 16 events. In addition to the strong events such as weightlifting, archery and table tennis, Taiwan will also have athletes competing in two new events: canoeing and breakdancing. Taiwanese athletes also completed their mission excellently, winning a total of 7 medals: 2 gold medals and 5 bronze medals. Of which, boxing helped Taiwan win 3 medals. This is the best achievement in the history of Taiwanese sports participation in the Olympics.

Gender-questioned boxer Lin Yu-ting refuses to sue IBA

On the special flight arranged by the Ministry of National Defense of Taiwan, there was a special person - Lin Yu-ting. The 28-year-old boxer competed in the 57kg category and became the first Taiwanese person to win an Olympic gold medal in boxing. In the final, Lin Yu-ting defeated Julia Szeremeta (Poland) with a score of 5-0, ending a convincing 4-match unbeaten streak.

Lin Yu-ting sat on the plane and received a special congratulatory message from Mr. Lai Ching-te: “With admirable focus and discipline, she overcame misinformation and cyberbullying. Lin turned adversity into victory. I admire her deeply and congratulate her on this historic achievement.”

Lin Yu-ting and Algerian boxer Imane Khaleif are two athletes who have received a lot of criticism for gender fraud suspicions at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The International Boxing Association (IBA) banned both athletes from competing in 2023 for failing gender tests. The IBA said that Lin Yu-ting and Imane Khaleif are men because they have an unusually high number of XY chromosomes (found only in men). However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) rejected the IBA's decision, declaring that both are still women and eligible to compete in France.

After the 2024 Paris Olympics, Imane Khaleif said she would sue the IBA for false information. However, in contrast to the Algerian boxer, Lin Yu-ting shared that she would not take any legal action against the IBA.

Lin Yu-ting said: “As an athlete, I have stayed away from social media during the 2024 Paris Olympics. That is extremely important. Of course, I have heard some noise and controversy in the press from my coach, but I don't pay much attention to it. And I have been invited by the IOC to participate in the Olympics, this is what I focus on.

I have proven myself by winning the Olympic gold medal. I don’t need to prove anything to these people through legal action. They can defame me but I don’t need to sue the IBA.”