Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, was involved in a scandal after her opponent, Italian boxer Angela Carini, withdrew from their bout during the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
Even though Khelif identifies as a woman and was born female, her participation has generated a lot of discussion.
Khelif’s boxing battle versus Carini ended abruptly on August 1st when the Italian boxer left the ring early, claiming that she was experiencing “severe pain” in her nose.
As previously mentioned, Khelif was deemed the automatic winner due to this unexpected turn of events. Her prior disqualification from the 2023 world championships because of high testosterone levels, however, has prompted some to contend that she ought not to participate against female competitors.
In defense of his 25-year-old daughter, Amar Khelif spoke to Reuters, expressing pride and admiration for her achievements. “Having such a daughter is an honor because she is a champion. She honored me, and I encourage her. I hope she will get the medal in Paris,” he said. “Imane is a little girl that has loved sport since she was 6 years old.”
To address doubts about her gender, Amar Khelif presented what Reuters described as an “official-looking document.” He stated, “This is our family official document, May 2, 1999, Imane Khelif, female. It is written here; you can read it. This document doesn’t lie.”
According to CNN, the controversy prompted Carini to publicly apologize to Khelif on August 2 in an interview with the Italian publication La Gazzetta dello Sport. “I’m sorry for my opponent. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision,” Carini said. “It wasn’t something I intended to do. Actually, I want to apologize to her and everyone else. I was angry because my Olympics had gone up in smoke.”
Khelif herself addressed the situation, urging the public to stop bullying athletes. Speaking to SNTV, she said: “It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit, and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying.”
Khelif’s experience illustrates the continuous difficulties faced by athletes who compete in the public eye and under scrutiny, notwithstanding the controversy surrounding it. Both her father’s encouragement and her own call for compassion highlight the importance of understanding and respect in athletics.
Khelif isn’t letting the argument distract her from her objective, which is to succeed in the Olympics and make her family and nation proud. It hasn’t been an easy trip, but with her father’s support and her own tenacity, she hopes to overcome the difficulties and carry on as a champion.