"Elevated levels of testosterone?"- Martina Navratilova takes dig at Lin Yu-ting as controversial Olympian quits boxing event over gender issue
Martina Navratilova took a subtle dig at Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting following her withdrawal from the World Boxing Cup Finals in Sheffield. Taiwan's Sports Administration stated she withdrew after the event organizer World Boxing questioned her gender eligibility.
Lin and Algerian boxer Imane Khelif were involved in a controversial gender eligibility issue at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Moreover, Navratilova, a staunch critic of transgender athletes in women’s sports, frequently criticized them following the turn of events.
The World Boxing Cup Finals, which began on Wednesday, November 27, was set to be Lin’s first international competition since the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, she withdrew from the event, with Taiwan’s Sports Administration later revealing the reason.
“She is female, meets all eligibility criteria, and successfully participated in the women’s boxing event [in Paris], winning a gold medal," it said (via AlJazeera).
"Unfortunately, as World Boxing is newly established and still navigating the development of its operational mechanisms, it lacks the clear regulatory policies of the IOC (International Olympic Committee) that ensure the protection of athletes’ rights," it added.
The statement also revealed that Lin had offered to undergo a comprehensive medical examination at the boxing event venue, but her proposal was declined.
Two-time Olympian and former elite marathon runner Mara Yamauchi later shared this update on X, writing:
"Boxer Lin withdraws from UK boxing event. Did someone send a polite letter asking a few questions?"
18-time major champion Martina Navratilova later responded to Yamauchi's comments, questioning whether elevated testosterone levels in Lin had led to her withdrawal.
"Could be elevated levels of testosterone? Perhaps?"
Martina Navratilova backed transgender golfer Nicole Powers for withdrawing from women's competitions
Martina Navratilova lauded transgender athlete Nicole Powers for deciding to withdraw from women's sports.
Speaking to Outkick in October 2024, Powers acknowledged that biological differences give transgender athletes an advantage, and these remain even after surgeries or hormone treatments. Thus, she realized that she shouldn't compete in women's sports.
"I had to take a step back and realize that biological realities are real and competitive advantages will always exist despite the number of years or whatever surgeries and hormones you've done, and then understood that my place is not in women's sports," she said.
Navratilova praised Nicole Powers' decision and shared the Daily Mail's report on her statement on X.
Additionally, Navratilova has been a staunch advocate for maintaining separate "sex-based spaces" for women.