Starfleet icon George Takei of Star Trek has weighed in on the heated debate surrounding two Olympic boxers scheduled to compete in the Olympic Games despite their previous failure to pass gender eligibility tests.

Controversy broke out when both Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, 25, and Chinese Taipei's Lin Yu-ting, 28, won their opening matches in the Games. Before the bout even began, opponents to Khelif—Italy's Angela Carini—cried while withdrawing from the match, saying it was unsafe to continue against such a strong opponent. In another bout, Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan drew blood in the third round on her way to a unanimous decision over Sitora Turdibekova of Uzbekistan.

Even after the International Boxing Association disqualified them from its world championships for failing gender tests, they have been allowed to compete at Paris by the International Olympic Committee. The decision has polarized opinion, with celebrities including Takei coming out in their support, while others such as JK Rowling, Caitlyn Jenner, and Logan Paul have hit out at their inclusion.

Logan Paul responded, saying the victory of Khelif was "the purest form of evil unfolding right before your eyes." Takei responded, saying Khelif should sue Paul for defamation. Paul corrected his comments later on, stating that he had been misinformed but still disagrees with biological men competing in women's sports.

Takei is not alone in Khelif's defense. Musician Billy Bragg has since weighed in to the debate, saying that the reaction to Khelif had been similar to hate-driven narratives against entire communities.

Another activist and commentator, Dr. Shola Mos-Shogbamimu, lashed out at Carini for her "emotional" reaction, saying she was exaggerating things.

It overturns the disqualification of both and upholds the decision to allow Khelif and Lin to participate, further underlining how much the IOC is committed to protecting the human rights of all athletes while it condemns the abuse meted out against them.