Olympics-Paris Games gender row was product of Russian fake news campaign-IOC's Bach

Olympics - IOC President Thomas Bach speaks to Reuters - Costa Navarino, Pylos, Greece - March 15, 2025 International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach during an interview with Reuters REUTERS/Louisa Gouliamaki

PYLOS, Greece (Reuters) - A gender row involving two female boxers at the Paris 2024 Olympics was the result of a Russian fake news campaign and had little to do with reality, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach said on Saturday.

Bach, who is stepping down in June after 12 years in charge of the biggest job in world sports, said the IOC had needed to fight off many similar campaigns before and after the Paris Games.