The second gender row boxer who today won a medal has been plunged into a new controversy by her opponent.
Lin Yu-Ting of Taiwan beat Bulgaria’s Svetlana Staneva in the quarter-final of the womens’ 57kg category.
But pictures show Staneva making two ‘Xs with her index fingers which appear to be making a remark about her opponents sex, which has been the centre of a huge storm at the Olympics.
Yu-Ting has been accused of being a man, by the International Boxing Association after failing gender eligibility tests in the world championships in India last year. However, she was cleared to fight by the IOC.
Male chromosomes are designated by an X and a Y, while females have two X’s.
But one spectator said: ‘it’s quite shocking if that’s what she meant. That she is saying she is a woman and her opponent isn’t.
Lin Yu-Ting (pictured left) has been accused of being a man, by the International Boxing Association after failing gender eligibility tests in the world championships in India last year
Lin Yu-Ting of Taiwan beat Bulgaria’s Svetlanak Staneva in the quarter-final of the womens’ 57kg category
Following the bout, Yu-Ting refused to be drawn into the ongoing controversy
Pictures show Staneva making two ‘Xs with her index fingers which appear to be making a remark about her opponents sex
‘It’s more surprising, because she held the ropes open for Yu-Ting to leave the ring which was respectful.’
The two fighters did not initially touch gloves, but the victor went over to the loser and touched her on the shoulder after she had circled the ring.
Syaneva left the North Paris boxing arena without commenting.
Following the bout, Yu-Ting refused to be drawn into the ongoing controversy.
She said: ‘I have received many messages of support from my country and from people in Paris. I thank them.
‘But I have not been able to read them because I have shut down my social media.
‘I am going to keep going and going to the gold medal. I have won a bronze medal, but I want to win the gold.’
Yells of joy for Khelif as she walks away victorious at Paris – one step closer to her gold medal dreams
Imane Khelif stood her ground today amid a vicious ‘hate campaign’ and took another giant step towards her gold medal dream
Imane was seen wiping her eyes as she was flooded with emotions after her victory
Imane Khelif and Anna Luca Hamori pictured embracing each other and grinning
She made no comment on the controversy surrounding her involvement in the Olympics.
She is the second boxer to face questions over whether she should be allowed to compete in the womens’ games.
The first was 25-year-old Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who was thrust into the spotlight after her Italian opponent, Angela Carini, was reduced to tears and quit their match after just 46 seconds.
Carini, who suffered a suspected broken nose, was heard screaming ‘it’s not right, it’s not right’ as she left the ring.
She later told reporters that she had never been punched so hard in her career.
But she later said the regrets how she handled the aftermath of the fight.
‘I’m sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.
‘It wasn’t something I intended to do [not shake her hand]. Actually, I want to apologise to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke. I don’t have anything against Khelif. Actually, if I were to meet her again I would embrace her.’
