Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif’s victory sparked a widespread online gender- dispute. She was subjected to numerous hate comments and questions regarding her biological sex. The petition was filed on Friday after she won the gold medal in the finals against China’s Yang Liu. The gold-medalist was Algeria’s flag bearer in the Olympics Closing Ceremony yesterday.
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Where the rumors originated and amplified
Rumors regarding her gender identity emerged after Italian Boxer, Angela Carini quit a mere 46 seconds into the match, after being the recipient of a firm punch to the nose; she broke into tears after the match ended. “I am not here to judge”, stated Carini on the subject after the match, even though she said had never felt a punch like that in her career before. However, later, the Italian Boxer expressed her regret for refusing to shake her opponent’s hand then.
Though Angela Carini refrained from commenting on the issue, thousands of people were quick to take to the internet to express their opinions, including many politicians and celebrities like Senator Marco Rubio, Author J.K Rowling and Elon Musk. Former U.S President and current Republican Presidential candidate, Donald Trump, also took to X to weigh in on the matter, promising “I will keep men out of women’s sports!”
Angela Carini’s loss also drew Italian Prime Minister Meloni’s criticism who said that people might actually be biased while attempting to remain the opposite. When Khelif succeeded in comfortably defeating Hungary’s Anna Hamori in the Women’s Welterweight Quarterfinals, the Hungarian Olympic Committee expressed their dissatisfaction with the Algerian boxer being eligible to compete in the Olympics.
IBA’s Claims
Resurfacing of old reports from the International Boxing Association only inflamed the situation. Khelif was disqualified from IBA’s World Championship held in New Delhi last year over a disputed gender- test, the specifics of which, IBA President Kremlev held, were confidential.
However, he revealed to TASS (a Russian News Reporting service) last year that the disqualification was due to Imane Khelif having both the X and Y chromosomes. The disqualification was reportedly done to uphold “fairness”. Khelif even appealed against the said decision, though she later withdrew it.
It is said that disqualification was suspiciously announced right after Khelif defeated a Russian Boxer in the same championship. This decision to disqualify Khelif is considered questionable as IBA is suspected of having ties to Russia and Kremlev’s Russian nationality.
IBA even organized an Olympic Boxing competition for the 2016 Summer Olympics held in Rio. The IOC (International Olympic Committee), since then, has called the IBA’s credibility and transparency into question.
Response from IOC
The IOC has firmly spoken in support of its athletes. Its President, Thomas Bach declared that there was “never any doubt” regarding Khelif and Lin Yu-ting’s gender identity. Another senior official from IOC, specifically its safeguarding and mental health unit, filed a complaint with the French authorities on August 4. Kristen Burrows- the official was allegedly bullied online and received death threats after defending Imane Khelif in a news conference.
Khelif’s lawyer, Nabil Boudi has called the attacks on his client “racist” and “misogynist”. Khelif has maintained her composure in the face of the row and has said that her win is the best response to her wrongful criticism.
