Calls increase for Olympic champion Imane Khelif to be stripped of her gold medal after new report claims she’s a biological male.
Imane Khelif, an Olympic boxer, is at the center of a heated controversy.
A new report claims that Khelif is a biological man, which has led to demands for her to be stripped of her gold medal.
The situation has sparked intense discussions about gender identity in sports.
Imane Khelif has still sparked debate over her true gender since her appearance at the 2024 Olympics
Imane Khelif, who represented Algeria, won a gold medal in women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics.
However, her victory has been overshadowed by questions regarding her gender.
The controversy began when both Khelif and another boxer, Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan, faced scrutiny for their eligibility to compete as women.
This scrutiny intensified after the report surfaced, suggesting that Khelif may have male biological characteristics.
Previously, Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships because a DNA test showed she had XY chromosomes.
This result indicated that she did not meet the requirements to compete in the women’s category.
Despite this, she was allowed to fight in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Khelif and Carini’s fight caused heated discussion because it ended only 46 seconds
The controversy intensified when Khelif’s opponent, Angela Carini from Italy, abandoned the match just 46 seconds in.
Carini reported feeling strong pain after being hit and decided to leave the ring.
Because of this quick exit, Khelif moved directly into the quarterfinals.
Amid gender controversy, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that Khelif identifies as a woman and has never claimed to be a man or transgender.
Therefore, they decided she could participate in the women’s boxing events.
An IOC spokesperson stated that all athletes in the tournament meet the eligibility rules.
They also emphasized that Khelif has competed before and is not a newcomer.
Leaked report claims Olympic champion Imane Khelif is biological male prompting calls for her to be stripped of gold medal
The report, which was allegedly leaked, claims that Khelif is a biological male.
This claim has not been fully verified, and the details surrounding it remain unclear.
The report was reportedly created in collaboration between medical experts from France and Algeria.
It has added fuel to an already heated debate about the fairness of transgender athletes competing in women’s sports.
Khelif affirmed she was born a woman
Khelif has publicly stated that she identifies as a woman and has insisted that she was “born a woman.”
Despite the controversy, she has continued to compete and has expressed pride in her achievements.
Following her gold medal win, she faced a barrage of questions and accusations regarding her gender.
Khelif has responded defiantly, stating that she is fully qualified to compete and that her critics are simply “enemies of success.”
“I am fully qualified to take part in this competition. I’m a woman like any other woman.
I was born a woman, I lived as a woman, I competed as a woman, there’s no doubt about that,” she said in an interview.
“[The critics] are enemies of success, that is what I call them. And that also gives my success a special taste because of these attacks,” Khelif added.
Imane Khelif is considering taking legal action against online abuses
In response to the backlash, Khelif has expressed that the scrutiny she faces is hurtful.
She has suggested that the criticisms are based on a misunderstanding of her identity and intentions.
Khelif’s attorney has also indicated that they are considering legal action against those who have spread false information about her.
Prominent public figures have weighed in on the issue.
Piers Morgan, a well-known journalist and television host, has called for Khelif to be stripped of her medal.
“Confirmation of what some of us said at the time: Khelif is a biological man.
The gold medal should now be stripped and awarded to the best actual woman.”
Tennis legend Martina Navratilova also supported this view, saying that Khelif’s participation has taken opportunities away from other female athletes.
“Transgender people SHOULD absolutely have a place in sport, but NOT at the expense of safety or fairness for women,’ she tweeted.
“And it is not up to women to find that solution. These categories should be protected.”
“Fairness and safety MUST be the MOST important factors in sport. At ALL levels. Including and especially grass routes.
This can not keep happening,” said Sports presenter Laura Woods.