Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, 25, boxing in the 66kg category, and 28-year-old Taiwan's Lin Yu Ting, fighting at 57kg. The row erupted after Khelif won her bout against Italy's Angela Carini in just 46 seconds with two strong punches to the Italian's nose that started bleeding profusely.

Both Khelif and Lin were disqualified from the 2023 world championships in New Delhi run by the International Boxing Association (IBA) after failing to meet "eligibility criteria." However, both competed in the Tokyo Olympics and were cleared to fight in Paris.

Athletes including tennis player Martina Navratilova and swimmer Sharron Davies, as well as the International Women's Sports Consortium and other organisations, have written to International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach asking him not to allow athletes who have not passed the gender test to compete against women at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

The letter asks the IOC to "urgently" investigate the eligibility of two boxers, Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting to compete in the women's boxing events at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The letter argues that the International Boxing Association (IBA) previously ruled that the two boxers were ineligible. "We understand that the IBA excluded the two boxers based on the results of sex determination tests which showed that they were men and not women," they argue.

The signatories of the letter point out that the IOC has "assumed the role of boxing's governing body" for the Paris Olympics and "presumably would maintain the same eligibility criteria for participation in the women's boxing events". However, the IOC has decided that Khelif and Yu-ting can compete against women, a decision that athletes and federations say is unjustifiable and potentially dangerous. "This seems impossible to justify, especially when a comprehensive risk assessment has been carried out," the letter said.

Dr Emma Hilton, an eminent developmental biologist, has conducted research which shows that a male boxer's punch is 160% more powerful than a woman's," they remind us. "We therefore consider this decision to include two men (Khelif and Yu-ting) in women's boxing to be extremely worrying, both for the safety and well-being of the female boxers against whom these two men will be competing," the letter stresses.

Finally, they call on the IOC to "reverse the decision to allow Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting to compete in the women's boxing events at the Olympic Games and instead adhere to the IBA eligibility criteria. In addition, "we urge the IOC to reinstate the cheek swab sex determination test for all athletes participating in the Paris (and future) Olympic Games in order to ensure fairness, dignity and integrity in women's Olympic competition".

The letter is signed by prominent individuals and organisations including Sorcha Nic Lochlainn and Laoise de Brún BL (The Countess), Riley Gaines, Donna de Varona, Nancy Hogshead, Donna Lopiano, Mariah Burton Nelson, Tracy Sundlun, Inga Thompson, The Countess, AFCC-French Association of Women Cyclists, Fair Play for Women, For Women Scotland Sport, Gaels for Fair Play, Independent Council on Women's Sports (ICONS), Independent Women's Forum and many more.

The petition has also been endorsed by the European Women's Lobby in Spain, Movimiento Abolicionista de Segovia, Mujeres Progresistas de Retiro, Feministas al Congreso Party, Save Women's Sport Australasia, Sex Matters, Women's Declaration International (WDI), Women's Space Ireland, Women Won't Wheesht and the Women's Sports Policy Working Group.

The submission to the IOC reflects a growing concern for the integrity and safety of women's sport. The International Olympic Committee's decision could set an important precedent for future competitions and the protection of equality in women's sport worldwide.

The UN’s special rapporteur on violence against women and girls (VAWG) has condemned the decision to allow Imane Khelif to compete in women’s boxing at the Olympics, Reem Alsalem, the UN’s special rapporteur on VAWG, said Carini “rightly followed her instincts and prioritised her physical safety, but she and other female athletes should not have been exposed to this physical and psychological violence based on their sex”.

Former sports stars also aired criticism, with tennis great Martina Navratilova taking to social media to say: “This is all on IOC and those in power who make the rules. It’s a travesty and makes a mockery of all Olympic sports.”

Former GB swimmer Sharron Davies said: “This is a biological male fighting a female & absolutely everyone can see it, they have also failed gender screening, twice & have XY chromosomes. “There is no ambiguity that the IOC do not care if a female gets seriously hurt. Or worse. I’m astonished at the weakness of the media.”