site.btaBulgaria's Sports Ministry Voices Concern over "Unprecedented Situation Facing Boxing" at Paris Olympics

The Youth and Sports Ministry has expressed concern about "the unprecedented situation boxing has been faced with at the Paris Olympic Games" which directly affects Bulgaria, the Ministry said in a press release on Friday.

"The regulation creates conditions for conflicts, which we are already witnessing. There is obviously a problem that predates the Olympic Games but has flared up in full force in Paris," the press release reads. The Ministry said that the ambiguity regarding the eligibility rules for participating in the women's boxing tournament in the Paris 2024 Olympics is a breeding ground for doubts and protests.

Having qualified for the quarterfinals in the women’s 57kg category, on Sunday, Bulgaria’s Svetlana Staneva will face Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting, who is one of the two athletes, along with Algeria's Imane Khelif, caught in a gender eligibility controversy.

After having taken into consideration numerous opinions on the topic, which has recently become a hot-button issue, the Youth and Sports Ministry is adamant that the Olympic values of clean sport, fair play, respect, solidarity, and mutual respect must not be violated in any sport, the press release read.

Sport has always contributed to strengthening public health, played a role in the education of adolescents, encouraged volunteerism, and promoted active social participation. Sport has also always contributed to promoting social inclusion, integration, and equal opportunities. "Last but not least, sport has played an important role in the prevention of racism and violence," the Ministry said.

"In view of the above, the Youth and Sports Ministry expresses hope that the boxing tournament will go ahead without incidents and in compliance with the Olympic values," the press release added.