Algerian boxer Imane Khelif’s 46-second victory at the Paris Olympics has sparked a heated global debate on gender eligibility in sports. Khelif, who was previously disqualified from the 2023 International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships for failing a gender eligibility test, faced immediate backlash following her win over Italian boxer Angela Carini.
Carini withdrew from the match after a powerful punch to the nose, a rare occurrence in Olympic boxing. Tearfully, she explained that the pain was too severe to continue. Despite her decision, Carini insisted she was not making a political statement about Khelif’s eligibility.
Khelif’s inclusion in the Olympics has drawn criticism from high-profile figures. Author J.K. Rowling and U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump publicly condemned her participation, questioning the fairness of allowing Khelif to compete in women’s sports. Rowling referred to Khelif as a “male,” accusing her of shattering Carini’s dreams, while Trump vowed to keep men out of women’s sports if elected.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) defended Khelif, stating that her eligibility is based on her passport and that she has met all required criteria. The IOC criticized the IBA’s decision to disqualify Khelif and another athlete, Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan, as arbitrary and unjust.
The Hungarian Boxing Association plans to protest Khelif’s participation on behalf of Anna Luca Hamori, her next opponent, and may pursue legal action. Despite the controversy, Khelif has received support from Algerian officials and the public, who denounce the attacks against her as malicious and unethical.
British politician Nadia Whittome highlighted that Khelif was assigned female at birth and has faced gender discrimination throughout her career. She emphasized that the attacks on Khelif show that transphobia can also harm women who do not fit conventional ideas of femininity.
The debate over Khelif’s participation has reignited broader discussions on gender identity in sports, with calls for clearer and fairer regulations. As Khelif prepares for her next match, the controversy surrounding her presence at the Olympics continues to polarize opinions worldwide.
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