Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics, securing a gold medal amidst a highly publicised gender controversy that has captivated global attention. Despite the despite controversy surrounding her gender, she returned to the ring and triumphed over China's Yang Liu in a decision, clinching Algeria's first Olympic gold medal in 12 years and becoming only the seventh Olympic gold medallist in the nation's history.
Algerian Boxer Claims Gold Amid Gender Controversy
In response to questions about her eligibility and the controversy surrounding it, Khelif stated during a press conference, "I've made numerous statements in the media about this issue, and whether I qualify or not, or whether I'm a woman or not, the facts remain clear. I am fully qualified to compete in this event. I am a woman, born as one, lived as one, and have always competed as one. There's no doubt about that. There are enemies of success – this is what I call them. That also gives my success a special test because of these attacks."
On August 6, Khelif triumphed in her semi-final bout in the women’s 66 kg category against Thai boxer Janjaem Suwannapheng, securing her place in the final on August 9.
Khelif, who was overcome with emotion after her quarter-final victory against Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori, was greeted with enthusiastic cheers and numerous Algerian flags waving in support. Following her win, she celebrated with joyful leaps in the ring.
In an interview with SNTV, a sports video partner of The Associated Press, Khelif spoke about the online harassment she has faced regarding her eligibility to compete in women’s boxing. Conducted in Arabic, the interview revealed her family's concerns about the impact of the bullying.
“God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal, and that would be the best response,” Khelif stated. She called on people worldwide to uphold Olympic principles and refrain from bullying athletes, emphasising the profound negative effects such behaviour can have.
“Bullying can destroy people; it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit, and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying,” Khelif urged.
The Controversial 46-Second Boxing Bout
The 46-second boxing match between Algeria's Imane Khelif and Angela Carini from Italy resulted in the latest controversy at the Paris Olympics. The match, which took place on August 1, saw Carini forfeit after only 46 seconds after the match had begun. She had reportedly taken punches to the jaw and mouth area in the first 30 seconds. The controversy was raised when it came to light that Imane had previously failed a gender eligibility test in a 2023 championship but was still given the green light to participate in the Olympics.
In an interview, Carini said that this was the hardest she had ever been hit throughout her entire boxing career. She also added that she decided to quit with the ''maturity of a boxer'' as she knew she wouldn't be able to finish the match, suspecting a nose injury. Carini refused to shake hands with Imane after she was declared the winner and was also seen crying in the ring later.
The bout has since increasingly become a topic of debate among many officials, with even Italy's Family Minister and Sports Minister reportedly questioning the processes and proceedings of the IOC. Elon Musk extended a show of support for Carini. Social media users and critics have labelled Khalif as ''transgender'' and ''biologically male."
Who Is Imane Khelif?
The main allegation is that Imane had an unfair advantage over other female athletes because of alleged high testosterone levels. This came after both Imane and Chinese Taipei's boxer Lin Yu-Ting were disqualified from the 2023 World Championships under the International Boxing Association (IBA) after failing to qualify for an unspecified gender eligibility test. However, both of the boxers were allowed to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) stood by its decision to allow the two boxers to compete on Thursday by releasing a statement.
They said, ''The two athletes have been competing in international boxing competitions for many years in the women's category, including the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships and IBA-sanctioned tournaments.
These two athletes were victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA.''
''The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision,'' they added, ''which was taken without any proper procedure.''
''Such an approach is contrary to good governance.''
In response, the IBA declared, "Both Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting post-testing did not meet the required eligibility criteria to compete within the female category of our respective events. The urgent nature of the decision (to disqualify the boxers) was justified, as the safety of our boxers is our top priority."
Is the IOC justified?
The Committee evaluates gender eligibility on the basis of the information given in the athlete's passport. According to Khelif's passport, she was born female. She is thus not officially transgender or intersex but is a cisgender female.
It is also being claimed that Khelif has XY chromosomes. However, there is no evidence of the same, as people who are born female are born with XX chromosomes. There is also no evidence of either Imane or Lin having elevated testosterone levels.
ESPN reported that she has been competing in women's competitions for several years, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where she lost in the quarterfinals.
She also finished 17th in the 2018 AIBA World Championships, and 33rd in the 2019 one before reaching the final in the 2022 Worlds, where she lost to Amy Broadhurst.
Broadhurst herself extended support to Imane amidst this gender row.
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