The lone transgender competitor representing Team Philippines in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Hergie Bacyadan, denounced recent claims that said he wanted boxers Lin Yu Ting and Imane Khelif “banned.” The Filipino athlete, on the other hand, emphasized the “unquestionable” femininity of Lin and Imane.
Since last week, a lot of untrue rumors have surfaced, claiming that Hergie, who competed in the women’s boxing tournament at the Olympics in Paris, France, wanted Imane of Team Algeria and Lin of Team Taiwan disqualified from the match.
Hergie sent an exclusive email to Bored Panda that said, “I want to clarify and address the recent claims circulating on the internet regarding my involvement in the controversy about my two co-boxers.”
“To clear the air, I have never said that they should not be allowed to compete in the Olympics,” he said.
Team Philippines’ Hergie Bacyadan is the only transgender athlete competing at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games
Image credits: hergiebacyadan
Image credits: hergiebacyadan
“I have the utmost respect for them and would never wish them any harm or misfortune.”
Over the past week, Imane and Lin have been subjected to vicious bullying, particularly on social media, where false information about their identities has been circulated.
On Thursday, August 1, false reports that Imane and Lin were transgender women with physical advantages gained momentum when Italy’s Angela Carini withdrew from her round-of-16 match against Imane after just 46 seconds..
Hergie slammed recent reports alleging that he wanted fellow boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu Ting “banned”
Image credits: Eurosport
Image credits: Focus Taiwan (CNA English News)
The Italian fell to her knees in tears as soon as the Algerian delivered the first clean blow of the bout. Angela turned to her team and decided not to continue.
“It’s not right, it’s not right,” the 25-year-old Italian is said to have told her coach. She subsequently told reporters that she had never been hit so hard in her career.
After Imane was declared the winner in Paris, Angela declined to shake her hand.
On the contrary, the Filipino athlete doubled down on Imane and Lin’s “unquestionable” female identities
The International Olympic Committee emphasized that both Imane and Lin met the admission rules and were cisgender women. They also denounced any inaccurate information that could have harmed the athletes, because a number of prominent transphobic people were using the fight to fuel debate.
Being transgender refers to having a gender identification that differs from the gender assigned to you by your doctor at birth based on your physical appearance. “Sex assigned at birth” refers to that designation, which is often “male” or “female.”
A person is referred to as “cisgender” if their gender identification matches the sex that was given to them by the doctor at birth. Examples of this include men who were assigned male at birth and women who were assigned female.
Image credits: hergiebacyadan
Hergie said to Bored Panda, “I am fully aware that these two athletes are cisgender women.” “They are definitely women, fully qualified, and deserving of their place in the competition; I have met them personally.”
The boxer went on, “The criticism they are receiving on social media is entirely unfounded and unjust,” after losing to China’s Li Quan in the 75kg division on Wednesday, July 31.
“As a fellow athlete, I recognize the expectations and criticism that come with the job, but this degree of baseless scrutiny is unjust to them.”
Hergie has not undergone any hormonal replacement therapy or surgeries, proudly competing with an athletic and natural body
Image credits: hergiebacyadan
Hergie is the only transgender athlete to have competed at the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024. He identifies as a transgender guy.
Global access to gender-affirming medical care and surgical procedures is accessible to assist transgender individuals with their frequently disabling gender dysphoria. A person undergoing treatment for gender transitioning may benefit from it.
Hergie clarified, “With regard to my own eligibility, I want to emphasize that I am a woman by birth and have complied with all Olympic requirements.” “My qualifications as a female boxer remain intact, despite any misconceptions about my appearance or identity.”
Hergie echoed his statement on his Instagram page, where he has received support from the LGBTQ+ community.
“Born and raised female, I maybe navigated a world that assigned me a gender I do not resonate with,” the boxer said in a previous post on Instagram. “Despite being recognized as female by those around me, my story highlights the importance of self-identification and the need for supportive environments that honor one’s gender identity.”
