The IOC’s Framework on Fairness, Inclusion and Non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sex variations, offers guidelines to federations on ensuring inclusion and fairness in sport, including athletes with Differences of Sexual Disorder (DSD). Before Khelif’s bout, IOC spokesman Mark Adams defended the body’s decision for Paris 2024.

“This involves real people and we are talking about real people’s lives here.” They have lost and they have won against other women over the years.” As Sir Bedevire (Terry Jones) might say, who is this who is so wise in the ways of gender? As it turns out, Mark Adams, an IOC mouthpiece since 2009, holds a degree in economics from the University of Manchester and a degree in art history from the Open University.