Algerian boxer Imane Khelif won the Olympic gold medal in the face of international scrutiny and misconceptions about her gender. The 25-year-old became a top storyline at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after Italian boxer Angela Carini withdrew 46 seconds into their bout. She wept and refused to shake Khelif’s hand emphasizing she has never been hit so hard by a punch.
This exploded scrutiny toward Khelif including world leaders and celebrities questioning her eligibility, falsely claiming she was a man. Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting, who also secured a gold medal at the global sports event, were the two boxers subjected to harsh criticism over their ban from competing in the 2023 World Championships, after failing an unspecified gender eligibility test by the International Boxing Association (IBA) last year. The Algerian boxer was extended support by Saudi Arabian princess Reema Bint Bandar Al Saud, who spoke at a session of the International Olympic Committee in Paris in her capacity as an IOC member, a female delegate, and a representative of gender equality.
A post shared by Reema B Al-Saud (@rbsalsaud) “From my point of view, the facts are clear, Khelif is a woman,” said the royal, adding “She was born a girl and has lived her entire life as a female. However, despite this joint statement, there has been continuous misreporting based on misinformation which has caused immeasurable pain and this is not only unacceptable but absolutely heartbreaking.” Princess Reema spok.