Taiwan cheers boxer who won Olympic gold after gender row

In a remarkable moment for Taiwan, boxer Lin Yu-ting has made history by winning the country's first-ever Olympic gold medal in boxing. When the referee raised her hand in victory, it was a moment of joy and pride for many in Taiwan. President Lai Ching-te celebrated Lin's achievement, calling her a 'daughter of Taiwan' and expressing how proud the nation is of her. He praised her for her focus and discipline, stating that she overcame misinformation and cyberbullying to achieve this incredible victory. Just a few weeks before the Olympics, Lin was not widely known outside of Taiwan, but her participation in the Games has thrust her into the spotlight. Lin and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif found themselves at the center of a heated debate regarding gender eligibility, which has been a significant topic surrounding the 2024 Olympics. Both athletes were initially disqualified from the previous year's World Championships due to unspecified gender eligibility tests. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decided to allow them to compete in Paris, stating that the testing conducted by the now-banned International Boxing Association was 'impossibly flawed' and that both Lin and Khelif were 'born and raised as women. ' This decision has sparked controversy, with many critics voicing their disapproval, including high-profile figures like former US President Donald Trump and author JK Rowling, who took to social media to express their concerns about Lin and Khelif competing in women's categories. Despite the backlash, Lin received overwhelming support from Taiwanese social media users, who celebrated her victories and defended her against the online abuse she faced. President Lai has previously stated that he asked his administration to address the 'malicious attacks and bullying' directed at Lin. Many online echoed his sentiments, declaring, 'The daughter of Taiwan is protected by the people of Taiwan. ' On the day of Lin's final match, hundreds gathered in her hometown of New Taipei City to watch the live broadcast alongside her mother, Liao Shiu-chen. Mrs. Liao expressed her gratitude for the support Lin received, saying, 'She really held on. She did it. ' Many fans were ecstatic, with one viewer stating, 'She has had such a hard journey. I was very angry to see her bullied by the whole world. This is a historic moment. ' The head of physical education at Lin's former secondary school remarked that her victory would inspire young aspiring boxers, providing them with a role model to look up to. The gender eligibility debate has been one of the most controversial stories from the 2024 Games, with Lin admitting that she had 'shut herself off' from social media to avoid the negativity. Her cousin and former sparring partner, Hsu Hao-xiang, described the controversy as 'just a bunch of nonsense,' emphasizing that Lin had participated in numerous competitions without issues in the past. He characterized Lin as a 'warm and thoughtful' person outside the ring, noting her desire to support her family. An old interview resurfaced where Lin shared that she began boxing to 'protect my mum,' who had been a victim of domestic violence. This story resonated deeply with many in Taiwan, with comments expressing support for Lin and her journey. Lin's victory signifies that she has completed a golden 'grand slam,' having previously won two World Championship gold medals in 2018 and 2022, as well as Taiwan's first gold medal in the 2022 Asian Games. However, her path to this gold medal was not without challenges. In 2016, she failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics, and in 2021, she was expected to win gold but was eliminated in the first round of the Tokyo Olympics. These setbacks only fueled Lin's determination, as her cousin noted that she did not let the negativity deter her. The support from the people made Lin 'fearless,' and it was moving to see so many cheering for her during her matches. Although the 2024 Olympics have concluded, discussions about gender eligibility in sports are likely to continue. IOC President Thomas Bach has indicated that the organization is open to revisiting its eligibility rules, stating, 'If someone is presenting us a scientifically solid system how to identify men and women, we are the first ones to do it.