In a recent and deeply troubling incident, Egyptian boxer Yomna Ayyad was forced to withdraw from the Paris Olympics after a slight weight increase disqualified her from the 54 kg women’s event.

Despite an initial clearing by the Egyptian Olympic Committee (EOC) and the Egyptian Boxing Federation, Ayyad has faced severe criticism and backlash from both officials and the public.

This incident with Yomna Ayyad not only highlights the flaws in how athletes are managed but also underscores the oppressive cultural taboos that continue to plague Egyptian society.

The Real Culprit: Mismanagement and Negligence

Let’s set the record straight: Yomna Ayyad’s disqualification was not her fault.

The Egyptian Boxing Federation, along with her medical team, should have taken every precaution to ensure she met the weight requirements. Instead, they failed her.

Ayyad, who initially weighed in at 54 kg, registered 54.7 kg the morning of the competition, allegedly due to a post-midnight snack. This minor fluctuation could have been anticipated and managed with proper guidance and support from her team.

Yet, rather than acknowledging their failure, officials were quick to shift the blame onto Ayyad, painting her as irresponsible and careless.

The Backlash: Unjust and Cruel

Following her disqualification, Ayyad has faced a torrent of criticism. Social media and public forums have been rife with accusations of irresponsibility, with many unfairly targeting her personal discipline and commitment.

This criticism has not only tarnished her reputation but also caused significant emotional distress. The harsh reality is that Ayyad is being scapegoated for systemic failures that were entirely out of her control.

Medical Team Under Fire

Dr. Idris, the president of the boxing federation, criticized Ayyad’s personal physician for misdiagnosing and inadequately treating her condition. Dr. Idris stated that the physician’s failure to provide adequate and informed support played a significant role in the unfortunate outcome.

This lack of proper medical guidance highlights a critical area of neglect that must be addressed to prevent future occurrences.

Abdulaziz Ghoneim, President of the Boxing Federation, commented on the exclusion of the athlete Yomna Ayad from the Paris Olympics due to weight gain without competing in the match.

In a phone interview on the program “With Khairy,” broadcast on the “Al Mehwar” channel, Ghoneim said: “Yomna Ayad is a promising champion and an African champion with a great future.” He added that physiological changes were behind Yomna Ayad’s 700-gram weight gain overnight, noting that any boxer who gains even 100 grams would be disqualified, with no exceptions. Ghoneim continued: “Yomna Ayad is the first athlete to achieve a series of accomplishments, and we should not undermine her psychologically.”

The President of the Boxing Federation also stated: “The girl is still young, and she might have eaten or drunk water at night, leading to the weight gain. Even if she made a mistake, we don’t want to crucify her.”

Ghoneim highlighted that he discovered Yomna Ayad three years ago at the national championships. She is the first female athlete to win a medal in the Mediterranean and the first to win the African Championship.

The Elephant in the Room: Cultural Taboos on Menstruation

The official explanation for Ayyad’s weight fluctuation is perhaps the most infuriating aspect of this entire debacle. The medical report cites “physiological and hormonal changes” as the reason for her sudden weight gain—an oblique reference to her menstrual cycle.

In Egyptian culture, open discussion of menstruation remains taboo, shrouded in euphemisms and vague references. The reluctance to candidly address “period talk” is not just a cultural quirk; it is a harmful taboo that silences women and perpetuates ignorance and stigma.

Why are we so afraid to say the word “period”? Why must we cloak it in terms like “physiological and hormonal changes”?

This cultural squeamishness only exacerbates the problem, making it harder for women to speak openly about their health and seek the support they need. By refusing to acknowledge the reality of menstruation, we are complicit in perpetuating a cycle of shame and silence.

Yomna Ayyad’s ordeal should serve as a wake-up call. It is high time we hold the right people accountable and address the systemic issues that led to this debacle.

The Egyptian Boxing Federation and her medical team must take responsibility for their role in this fiasco and ensure that such negligence does not occur in the future.

Moreover, we must confront and dismantle the cultural taboos that prevent honest conversations about women’s health.

It is 2024, and the fact that we still cannot openly discuss menstruation is both absurd and unacceptable.

We owe it to athletes like Yomna Ayyad, and to all women, to create an environment where they can compete and live without fear of unjust criticism and harmful cultural stigmas.

Despite this setback, we are immensely proud of Yomna Ayyad for making it to the Olympics. Her journey and achievements are a testament to her dedication and talent.

We stand by her and support her unconditionally. Her strength and resilience in the face of such adversity are inspiring, and we believe she will continue to shine in her future endeavors.