Imane Khelif Addresses Gender Controversy Amid Olympic Journey

Imane Khelif Breaks Silence Amid Gender Controversy

The Algerian Olympic boxer, Imane Khelif, has finally addressed the swirling rumors and false accusations regarding her gender, which emerged after her inaugural fight against Italy’s Angela Carini at the Paris Olympics. The match took a dramatic turn when Carini withdrew just 46 seconds into the bout and notably did not shake Khelif’s hand following the referee’s decision. In the ring, she was heard uttering “Non è giusto” — meaning “It’s not fair” in Italian.

In the aftermath, Carini stated that her withdrawal was due to severe pain in her nose caused by the initial punches. This incident ignited a wave of international backlash, leading to questions about Khelif’s eligibility to compete.

Impact of Media Frenzy

In a heartfelt interview conducted in Arabic, Khelif expressed that the intense media scrutiny has profoundly affected her. She urged, “All the people of the world should uphold the Olympic principles, as outlined in the Olympic Charter.” The boxer highlighted the damaging effects of the gender allegations, calling for an end to the bullying of athletes. She emphasized, “Bullying can destroy people; it can kill their thoughts, spirit, and mind. It can also create divisions among people.”

The 25-year-old athlete revealed that her family is deeply concerned for her well-being. “They are worried about me. God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal, which would be the best response,” she shared. Khelif raised questions regarding the timing of the accusations, wondering why such claims have surfaced now, despite her years of dedication to boxing. She noted her frequent visits to Assisi in southern Italy for training camps, emphasizing that Carini has known her for a long time. “The coaches have known me since I was young in the national team, and I used to train with them. The (Italian) boxer herself knew me and was well aware of who I am,” Khelif stated.

Support from Coaches

Khelif’s coach, Mohamed Chaoua, reinforced her stance by stating, “In the Algerian state, changing one’s gender is not permitted.” He further explained, “Even in developing countries, these operations are prohibitively expensive. If Imane had the means to undergo such procedures as people are alleging, she would prefer to use that money to feed herself, buy bread, and live like the rest of her friends.”

Determination to Succeed

After a triumphant victory against Hungary’s Anna Hamori, Khelif was visibly emotional as she progressed to the semi-finals. In her interview, she articulated her motivation, stating that “barriers motivate the will,” a belief she has held since childhood. The determined athlete has consistently declared that she will not allow these accusations to impede her quest for Algeria’s first Olympic gold medal in women’s boxing.

Khelif expressed her gratitude to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for its support amidst the uproar surrounding her eligibility. She revealed that the IOC president, Thomas Bach, personally reached out to her with a message of encouragement. Khelif also extended her thanks to everyone who stood by her during this challenging time: “I want to thank everyone who supported me, including all Algerian men and women, everyone in the Arab world, and people around the globe who rallied behind me in this fierce campaign against me.”

In a twist of events, Angela Carini later expressed her remorse regarding the gender controversy and offered an apology to Khelif. Looking ahead, Khelif’s next match in Paris will be against Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng. Should she secure another victory, she will compete for the coveted gold medal on Friday night.