Imane Khelif appears on TV to confront a journalist who leaked a medical report claiming she is a biological male, threatening legal action.
Imane Khelif, an Olympic boxing champion, recently made headlines for her strong response to a journalist who shared an unverified medical report.
The report claimed that Khelif is a biological male, a statement she vehemently denies.
This situation has sparked discussions about gender identity in sports and the pressures athletes face.
Imane Khelif has caused controversy since her appearance at the 2024 Games
Khelif won a gold medal in the women’s welterweight division at the Paris Olympics.
However, her journey to the top has not been without controversy.
Earlier, she was disqualified from the Women’s World Boxing Championships due to allegations concerning her gender eligibility.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) claimed that she did not pass a gender eligibility test.
Despite this, Khelif has consistently stated that she is a woman.
To support her claim, her father even presented her birth certificate, which identifies her as female.
The Olympic champion threatens to sue French journalist for claiming she’s biological male in recent medical report
Recently, a French magazine published a report alleging that Khelif has “male characteristics” and XY chromosomes.
This claim has not been verified and has been met with strong backlash from Khelif and her supporters.
The leaked medical report, is said to have been prepared by endocrinologists from France and Algeria.
One of the doctors, Jacques Young, has publicly stated that he feels his name is being misused to spread false information.
During a television interview, Khelif expressed her frustration with the media coverage.
“I didn’t know the statements of President Meloni, but I saw that many politicians and presidents speak without any real source.”
She stated, “I will meet with the French journalist in court.”
This indicates her determination to fight back against what she sees as false accusations.
Khelif was a guest on the Italian show “Lo Stato delle Cose,” where she discussed the impact of these claims.
She criticized politicians and media figures who make statements without proper sources.
Khelif emphasized that the scrutiny she faces is not just about her performance but also about her identity.
She remarked, “The more a person desires success, the easier it is to achieve it.”
Imane Khelif addresses Carini’s withdrawal and expresses support for her
The controversy surrounding Khelif intensified during her Olympic match against Italian boxer Angela Carini.
Carini withdrew from the bout just 46 seconds in, citing a serious injury.
This led to further discussions about Khelif’s abilities and her right to compete.
Khelif later addressed Carini’s actions, calling her a friend and wishing her well.
“I have nothing against Angela Carini,” she explained.
“She is a boxer, a young girl. I have nothing against the people who put pressure on her to behave that way, I don’t think she behaved that way of her own free will.
“Pretty sure that the pressure she was subjected to led her to this behavior.
“I want to send a message to Angela, want to tell her that she is a friend and will remain a friend, the apologies were accepted from the bottom of my heart.”
“Tbh, wish her every success, people can make mistakes but we must learn from our mistakes.”
Khelif’s father has also spoken out in her defense.
He has expressed pride in his daughter, stating that she was raised as a girl and has always identified as such.
He urged people to recognize her talent and dedication to the sport, saying, “She has a strong will to work and to train.”
IOC and Algerian Olympic Committee defend Khelif amid controversy
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has weighed in on the matter, stating that they will not comment while legal actions are pending.
They reiterated that Khelif has been competing in women’s events for many years.
The Algerian Olympic Committee also said: “These attacks, often based on unsubstantiated allegations, aim to tarnish the image of an athlete who has brought honour to our nation on the international stage.
“We firmly condemn these attempts at destabilization, which have no place in the world of sports.”