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 spoke highly about the boxer's humble roots in rural Algeria and sheer determination and persistence that got her to represent her country at a global platform.
The boxer, 25, won a gold medal amidst a tumultuous run, where she was subjected to intense bashing both inside and outside the ring. Adding to it was the online abuse from around the world over misconceptions about her womanhood. A post shared by Imane Khelif | إيمان خليف 🇩🇿 (@imane_khelif_10) The Saudi Princess condemned those who pushed the false narrative, “Nobody has the right to deny her womanhood and continuing to push false narratives against her is an attempt to rob her of her dignity and her merit.
” Standing before the distinguished committee of the IOC, the royal member declared, “This can’t continue.” She explained, “I believe athletes should be focusing on their performance, not having to justify their existence.” A post shared by Imane Khelif | إيمان خليف 🇩🇿 (@imane_khelif_10) Princess Reema condemned the cyber harassment of Imane Khelif, “No athlete should be bullied or ridiculed for their appearance, no athlete should have their wins, or talents or achievements they have developed over a lifetime, weaponized against them.
A post shared by Imane Khelif | إيمان خليف 🇩🇿 (@imane_khelif_10) Communiqué de presse : Imane Khelif pic.twitter.com/LEdZTcIdU1 — Nabil Boudi (@BoudiNabil) August 10, 2024 In the wake of online bullying, Khelif has legally filed a complaint with the Paris public prosecutor’s office over “acts of aggravated cyber harassment" committed against her.
ALSO READ| ‘I’m a woman’: Olympic champion Imane Khelif hits back at trolls, files legal complaint over ‘cyber harassment’.
