TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) and former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) affirmed their support for Olympic boxer Lin Yu-ting (林郁婷) despite transgender allegations against her Friday (Aug. 2).

Lin is facing Sitora Turdibekova from Uzbekistan later Friday for her first match in the 57-kilogram category at the Paris Olympics. The Taiwanese athlete has faced online criticism from celebrities such as “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling, saying she should not be allowed to take part because she is allegedly transgender.

However, Lin has denied the allegations and received widespread support from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), and fellow athletes. President Lai added his voice in a Facebook post on Friday.

He praised Lin’s professionalism and resilience, and called on the public to fully support her, per Radio Taiwan International (RTI). There will be victories and defeats, there will be applause and noise, but nobody can stop a champion’s determination to move up to the next level, Lai said.

Lin lost at the Tokyo Olympics but picked herself up again to win gold at the Asian Games, the president said. He called on the public to applaud her in her effort to win at the Olympics.

Former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) also expressed support for Lin on her Facebook page. She posted a picture of the two together inside the Presidential Office Building in 2023 when she received the Taiwan team participating at the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.

Lin took the selfie, expressing a lively spirit and self-confidence, showing no fear in the presence of a president, Tsai said. She added she believed Lin would show the same fearlessness toward critics and her opponent in the ring.