'Misleading Information In Reports': IOC President Thomas Bach's Big Clarification Ahead Of Imane Khelif's Final Bout

International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach on Friday said that women must be encouraged to take part in women's events at the Olympics. Bach's response comes amid controversy surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khalif, a boxer who had failed gender eligibility and testosterone tests and has reached the gold medal round in the women's 66 kg boxing at the ongoing marquee event. Speaking at the press conference, Bach said that women should be allowed to be a part of womens' events and also talked about how the boxing does not use sex tests anymore due to human rights reasons.

"We had so-called sex tests until 1999, and then science told us that they were not reliable anymore, that it does not work as they used to work with regard to the chromosomes and other measurements. We were also told that these kinds of tests are and can be against human rights because they are too intrusive. Then the new system was developed in great agreement with everybody. And I think this is since 1999 or 2000 that this system has been working. Therefore, our decision is very clear. Women must be allowed to take part in women's-competitions," said Bach.

Khalif will be competing for a gold medal in the final of the women's 66 kg boxing at the ongoing Paris Olympics.

Khalif, who was banned from competing in world championships following failures in testosterone and gender eligibility tests, achieved a controversial win over Italy's Angela Carini within just 46 seconds after her opponent quit in the opening round.

Now in the semifinals, she defeated Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand by 5-0, via win by points.

Imane will be battling China's Yang Liu for the top prize on August 10.

The win over Carini drew adverse comments from many