On social media, a viral video showed Imane Khelif’s best friend disrupting a press conference amid the Olympic boxing gender controversy, gaining attention.
On Twitter, Imane Khelif’s teammate disrupted the press conference to defend her amid the gender eligibility controversy.
A press conference hosted by the International Boxing Association (IBA) was interrupted. Roumaysa Boualam, a teammate of Imane Khelif, stormed into the room. She entered to defend her friend amid ongoing controversy.
This disruption came amidst ongoing controversy over Khelif’s gender eligibility.
Previously, Khelif faced criticism after failing a gender test.
In the match, Khelif defeated boxer Angela Carini in just 46 seconds, shocking onlookers.
Despite her victory, Imane Khelif continues to face controversy due to her previous gender test results.
Then, Imane Khelif was at the center of a media storm during the Olympic Games. She even faced accusations regarding her gender eligibility.
However, IOC president Thomas Bach issued a strong statement supporting Khelif’s inclusion in the women’s competition.
Additionally, Imane Khelif’s father also defended his daughter, despite the gender controversy she faced.
He urged his daughter to prove her critics wrong and to bring honor to Algeria and the Arab world. “I hope she will honor Algeria and Tiaret and win the gold medal. She is our role model,” he added.
Imane Khelif’s teammate unexpectedly disrupted the IBA press conference to defend her.
A user, who goes by @TJFrancisLive shared a video on this platform showing Imane Khelif’s ‘best friend’ defend her ‘best friend’ on Monday.
The video has the caption: “Algerian boxer Roumaysa Boualam – who also competed in these Olympic Games – waved her country’s flag and explained to reporters why she came in support of Imane Khelif. Speaking about Khelif she told me “Every person portrayed like that would feel angry and frustrated”.
In the footage, the press conference, which lasted two hours, was chaotic and unproductive. The IBA’s Russian chief, Umar Kremlev, struggled with his translator, and the BBC eventually walked out in protest.
During the conference, Boualam and another Algerian delegate entered to protest.
They showed their support for Khelif by waving Algerian flags and revealing their Algerian tops.
Roumaysa Boualam, Imane Khelif’s best friend, defended her following gender eligibility controversy
Boualam passionately defended Khelif, asserting that Khelif was registered as a female at birth and has lived as a woman her entire life. She emphasized that Khelif deserves to compete in Paris and is a champion in her own right.
Addionally, she confirmed she had spoken with Khelif but withheld further details.
She said: ‘Every person portrayed like that would feel angry and frustrated,’ she said. ‘Imane is really strong. She’s my friend.
‘I want to support my country and the truth and my friend.’
According to Sky Sports News senior reporter Geraint Hughes, Boualam, who was eliminated from the 50kg category, is considered Khelif’s ‘best friend.’
‘She (Boualam) spoke passionately about Khelif being a girl at birth, registered as a girl, growing up as a girl and growing up as a woman, how she is absolutely entitled to be boxing in Paris and that she is a hero and a champion,’ he said.
The video quickly went viral and sparked debate on social media.
In the comments section, many viewers supported Khelif, while others criticized her due to the gender eligibility controversy.
One person said: They are MEN
A second wrote: They say two tests show XY. The rest is so not important.
While a third commented: The IOC is not advocating for female competitors, but instead is supporting these man to take advantage of their condition by competing with Chromosomes XY against females. They are men, no matter what the IOC says!!!
Khelif breaks slinec after gender eligibility controversy
After her victory over Hungary’s Luca Hamori, Khelif broke down in tears. She urged Olympic fans to uphold the principles of the Olympic Charter and to refrain from bullying athletes.
Additionally, she expressed hope that her success would ultimately lead to a gold medal. This would serve as a strong response to the ongoing controversy.
The Algerian Olympic Committee has criticized the IBA, stating, “Algeria is not a member of the IBA and does not recognize it as a legitimate institution. Our champion, Imane Khelif, remains unaffected by the IBA’s baseless claims.”
Imane Khelif’s father, Omar Khelif, also defended her, stating, “My child is a girl. She was raised as a girl. She is strong and has been raised to be brave.” He presented official Algerian documents confirming her female registration at birth.