President of the International Boxing Association (IBA), Mr. Umar Kremlev has urged international sporting organisations to urgently develop clear, enforceable policies to protect women’s sport and to ban transgender athletes from all female competitions, following recent remarks by U.S. President Donald Trump, who referenced Algerian boxer Imane Khelif during his meeting with House Republicans.

In his speech, President Trump touched on the situation at the boxing competition during the Paris 2024 Games where Algerian Imane Khelif, deemed earlier ineligible to compete in IBA female boxing events, won Olympic gold medal as the IOC chose to follow their own ‘passport’ eligibility criteria. Trump stressed the importance of strict rules to protect female athletes, stating: “You have policy on your side — they don’t have policy.” President Kremlev mentioned that this comment highlights a core problem facing modern sport; many disciplines continue to debate sensitive issues without having clearly defined rules in place, while women’s sports suffer from it.

“We remember the last Olympic Games not for sporting records or bright emotions, but for Paris becoming a symbol of mockery toward women and their rights. Unfortunately, no one has yet taken responsibility for what happened by allowing ineligible boxers to compete. Now, a firm decision is needed at the state level to protect female athletes. I would like to thank President Trump once again for his strong position on banning transgender athletes from women’s sport last year. It demonstrates clear leadership moving forward, ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games and sets an important example for respective heads of state. Now is the time for all sports to develop policies like boxing; transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete against women,” Kremlev claimed.

President Kremlev stressed that IBA is the only International Federation that has already taken responsibility by establishing a formal policy to protect women’s categories through defining gender within the IBA Technical & Competition Rules, as well as establishing gender tests during IBA competitions.

“Our responsibility is to protect the women’s categories so that female athletes can compete on equal terms, knowing that the rules are applied strictly, consistently and transparently. In boxing, we chose the most honest path, to ban transgender athletes from female events via establishing eligibility criteria,” he said. “This is exactly what women athletes deserve; certainty, protection and fairness.”

He added that it is no longer acceptable for international federations to postpone decisions or hide behind vague principles.

“It is time for all sports to develop policies similar to boxing; transgender athletes should not be allowed to compete against women,” Kremlev stated. “When policy is missing, female athletes pay the price as we have seen during the Paris 2024 Games. Women deserve to compete knowing that their category is protected by consistently applied rules as we have in boxing.”

Kremlev also emphasised that athletes should never become instruments in political or ideological agendas.

“Boxing has shown that this is possible – now it is high time others took the same responsibility and protect the future of women’s sport. I thank President Donald Trump once again for his clear and active position in defending the truth and standing up for women’s sport. I hope more heads of state and sporting organisations will show the same leadership and put an end to attempts to undermine and discredit female competition through gender issues”.

President Kremlev further called for unity among sports leaders worldwide, stressing that a collective and coordinated approach is essential to safeguard the integrity of women’s competitions. He urged international federations to collaborate in order to establish universal standards that prioritise fairness, safety, and respect for all female athletes. Only through decisive and united action, can the sporting community restore trust and ensure that women’s sport continues to flourish without controversy or uncertainty.

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Media contacts:

Elena Sobol, Head of Presidential Operations, Communications and PR, International Boxing Association: elena.sobol@iba.sport