Like Algeria's Imane Khelif, Chinese Taipei's Lin Yu-ting rose above the criticism to win boxing gold. The awarding became a rollercoaster ride from tears to smiles, led by Nesthy Petecio.
There's no better feeling than having unity by taking a groufie.
The awarding ceremony of the women's 57kg boxing division in the Olympic Games Paris 2024 turned out to be a rollercoaster of emotions.
Embattled boxer Lin Yu-ting of Chinese Taipei wins gold despite all the criticism and controversy, while Nesthy Petecio brought her signature charm. It was a heartwarming display of solidarity and sportsmanship from all four athletes.
Lin Yu-ting, along with Algeria's Imane Khelif, was thrust into controversy at the start of the Olympics. Her participation was questioned as the International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified both of them during the 2023 World Championships after failing eligibility criteria.
IBA did not specify the test, but emphasized in a July 31 statement that it was not a testosterone examination.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) though stood by the two boxers, clarified this was not a transgender issue, and called IBA's test as "so flawed".
[ALSO READ: Embattled boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting reach Paris 2024 gold medal match; IBA testing called into question]
On Saturday, Imane took home the gold in the women's 66kg division in an emotional moment.
[ALSO READ: Unbowed, unbent, unbroken: Imane Khelif wins Algeria's first Olympic gold in women's boxing during Paris 2024]
Lin entered the gold medal match by breezing through the semifinals, earning a unanimous decision against Turkiye's Esra Yildiz Kahraman.
The Turkish boxer then went to the center of the ring and raised her hands to form an X sign with her fingers.
Lin proceeded in the same path in the finals, beating Julia Szeremeta of Poland via unanimous decision. It was all 30-27 in the five judges' scorecards.
So there they all were in the podium.
The Philippines' Nesthy Petecio--who eliminated Lin in the round of 16 during Tokyo 2020--standing for bronze. Yildiz Kahraman stood right beside her.
Szeremeta, who eliminated Petecio in the semis, stood for the silver. And Lin, brushing off all questions regarding her eligibility, with the gold.
It was an especially heartwarming moment for Nesthy, since it was fellow Filipina Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski--an IOC executive member--who gave her the bronze medal.
Petecio even went for a hug.
When it was Lin's turn to receive the medal, she put her hand on her chest and waved to the cheering crowd. The boxer received the gold from Cojuangco, held it, and kissed it.
Their anthem played, and Lin tried to hold it in by covering her face in the medal.
She couldn't hold it in and openly cried while singing the anthem. When the music stopped, Lin closed her eyes and kissed her medal again.
What followed was a remarkable moment of solidarity and sportsmanship.
All four hugged each other, expressing congratulations--past tensions seemingly forgotten. Lin was seen speaking to Yildiz Kahraman and hugged her again.
And as what has become the norm in Paris 2024, the bronze medalist was in charge of taking the group photo. Of course, leave it to the Filipina to take the groufie.
She wasn't done with just one though and took more photos with high fives and her signature eyyy pose.
When they stepped out of the ring, Lin was seen hugging Szeremeta as they walked out of the arena.
Who cares about the noise? In this moment, the four athletes brushed questions and heartbreaks aside to celebrate. This was the moment that mattered.