Sir Matthew Pinsent rages on the BBC after Olympics boxing saga: 'You can't have equity and inclusion'
Sir Matthew Pinsent has raged at the International Olympic Committee after Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting won gold in Paris this summer
BBC
Sir Matthew Pinsent has raged at the International Olympic Committee after Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting won gold in Paris this summer.
Both boxers had previously failed gender eligibility tests at the World Boxing Championships last year.
The tests are confidential but the International Boxing Association, which has been discredited, have alleged that both fighters are 'biologically male'.
Khelif won gold by beating China's Yang Liu on Friday.
Sir Matthew Pinsent has raged at the International Olympic Committee after Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting won gold in Paris this summer
BBC
And Lin wrote her name into Olympic folklore with victory over Poland's Julia Szeremeta on Saturday.
Pinsent, speaking live on the BBC, has now blasted the IOC.
He says they can't have 'equity and inclusion' and says the controversy has been one of their own making.
"While Paris has been a huge success there have been some very unfortunate headlines about boxing and the IOC, in a sense, asked for that," he said.
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"Because they stepped in and said 'we don't like the way boxing is being run, we are going to make the rules for the Olympics and the inclusion of athletes boxing here' and that has basically exploded on them.
"It's been really unfortunate.
"It has been totally of their own creation because they can't have both equity and inclusion.
"It's so weird they allowed it to happen.
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"They can't organise an event and say 'on the one hand we're just organising the Olympics'. And then the other diving into a sport and saying 'we're also going to rewrite the rulebook for Paris.'
"That has been really unpleasant and unfortunate."
Both Khelif and Lin have bristled at suggestions that they're 'biologically male'.
Khelif has even filed an official complaint with Paris prosecutors as she looks to combat the abuse she's received online.
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Imane Khelif won gold at the Paris Olympics on Friday with the Algerian triumphing despite scrutiny over her gender
PA
Fans on X have responded to Pinsent's rant.
And many are in agreement with the 53-year-old, who won four medals throughout his career in rowing.
"Wow are the BBC turning over a new leaf, or will Matthew get his wrist slapped? said one user.
Lin Yu-Ting followed in the footsteps of Imane Khelif by also winning gold at the Paris Olympics
PA
Another said: "He's completely correct."
A third stated: "It's the truth. People should try speaking this way more often."
And a fourth said: "Good for him."