Algerian boxer Imane Khelif finds herself embroiled in a gender eligibility controversy, which has intensified following her victory over Italian fighter Angela Carini at the Paris Olympics on August 1.
Competing in her second Olympics, Khelif first represented Algeria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 2021. Controversy has surrounded her since then, and her recent triumph has only exacerbated the situation, according to Fox News.
At 25, Khelif hails from Tiaret, Algeria. She grew up in a rural village and pursued boxing despite her father’s disapproval. Now a UNICEF ambassador, she shares her journey in the sport.
From Olympic Quarters To Controversial Disqualification:
Imane Khelif began boxing at 19 and ranked 17th at the 2018 World Championships. She placed 19th in the 2019 Women’s World Boxing Championships and advanced to the quarterfinals of the 2020 Olympics, where she was defeated by Kellie Harrington. In 2022, Khelif secured second place at the Women’s World Boxing Championships, losing to Amy Broadhurst. She also won gold at the 2022 African Championships, the Mediterranean Games, and the 2023 Arab Games.
The controversy arose during the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships when Khelif was disqualified just before the gold medal match due to gender eligibility issues. IBA President Umar Kremlev explained the decision to Russia’s TASS Agency.
Imane Khelif, a 25-year-old boxer from Tiaret, Algeria, faced scrutiny. “Based on DNA tests, we identified a number of athletes who tried to trick their colleagues into posing as women. According to the results of the tests, it was proved that they have XY chromosomes. Such athletes were excluded from competition,” Kremlev stated.
Initially, the Algerian Olympic Committee cited “medical reasons” for Khelif’s disqualification, but Algerian media, referencing Reuters, reported that high testosterone levels were the true cause.
Khelif addressed the situation on Algerian Ennahar TV, saying, “There are some countries that did not want Algeria to win a gold medal. This is a conspiracy and a big conspiracy, and we will not be silent about it.”
As Khelif qualified for the Paris Olympics, the controversy over her gender reignited. International Olympic Committee spokesperson Mark Adams sought to clarify the situation, stating that everyone competing in the women’s category complies with competition eligibility rules and is listed as female in their passports.
IBA Explains:
Before Khelif’s match, the International Boxing Association (IBA) issued a new statement clarifying the disqualification. They explained that on March 24, 2023, athletes Lin Yu-ting and Imane Khelif were disqualified from the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi 2023 for not meeting the eligibility criteria for the women’s competition, as specified in IBA Regulations. This decision followed a comprehensive review to ensure fairness and integrity in the competition.
The IBA highlighted that the athletes were not subjected to a testosterone examination but rather to a separate, confidential test, which revealed that they did not meet the required eligibility criteria and had competitive advantages over other female competitors. The IBA reported that Khelif underwent two tests, one in 2022 and another in 2023. Khelif appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but later withdrew, rendering the IBA’s decision legally binding.
The IBA further stated that their Committees reviewed and upheld the decision made during the World Championships. They expressed concerns about the inconsistent application of eligibility criteria by other sporting organizations, including those governing the Olympic Games. The IOC’s differing regulations, in which the IBA is not involved, raise serious questions about competitive fairness and athlete safety.
In response, the IOC defended its eligibility requirements, stating that Khelif met all requirements: “These two athletes were the victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA. Towards the end of the IBA World Championships in 2023, they were suddenly disqualified without any due process.”
Khelif vs Carini:
On August 1, Khelif achieved a remarkable victory in just 46 seconds against Italy’s Angela Carini in the 66-kilogram division. Videos of the match revealed that after just 46 seconds in the ring with Imane Khelif at the Paris Olympics, Angela Carini walked back to her corner. There, she consulted with her coaches and then tearfully decided to forfeit the bout. Overwhelmed by the challenge, Carini declared it “impossible to continue,” leading to a series of emotional moments.
Following the fight, Carini expressed her frustration, questioning the fairness of the match in Italian. She later clarified her decision to leave the match, saying, “I got into the ring to fight. I didn’t give up, but one punch hurt too much, and so I said enough. I’m going out with my head held high.”
Khelif celebrated the victory on Instagram with a simple yet triumphant post: “First victory.”
Social Media Reactions:
Former Arsenal midfielder Ismael Bennacer has spoken out against the “unjustified hatred” directed at Olympic boxer Imane Khelif. Khelif faced criticism after her opponent withdrew early from their match following a failed testosterone test last year. Bennacer, who shares Algerian descent with Khelif, defended the boxer, highlighting that her qualification for the 2024 Olympics was achieved through “talent and hard work.”
In a social media post that included a photo with Imane Khelif, Ismael Bennacer expressed his backing for the boxer, noting that she is facing unjust criticism. He highlighted that Khelif’s participation in the Olympic Games is a testament to her “talent and hard work,” and conveyed confidence in her ability to represent Algeria proudly.
Soutien total à notre championne Imane Khelif, qui subit une vague de haine injustifiée.
Sa présence aux Jeux Olympiques est tout simplement le fruit de son talent et de son travail acharné.
On croit en toi pour porter haut les couleurs de l’Algérie ❤️🇩🇿 pic.twitter.com/4uV4aln7xk
— Ismaël Bennacer (@IsmaelBennacer) July 31, 2024
The controversy has ignited widespread reactions on social media, with notable figures such as Elon Musk and Kangana Ranaut weighing in. Musk endorsed a post on X stating that “Men don’t belong in women’s sport.”
Absolutely https://t.co/twccUEOW9e
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 1, 2024
Kangna Ranaut criticized the situation in an Instagram story, asserting that Khelif was unfairly matched against an opponent who identified as female but retained male physical traits. Kangana Ranaut’s post criticized the match, stating, “This girl had to fight a 7 feet tall naturally born male, who has all body parts like a natural male, he looks and behaves like a man, he beat her in the boxing ring like a male beats a female in physical abuse scenario but he says he identifies as a female so guess who won the women’s boxing match? Woke culture is the most unfair and unjust practice. Speak up before it is your baby girl whose job or medal taken away. #SaveWomenSports.”
Former Arsenal midfielder Ismael Bennacer has also weighed in on the situation.
On social media, one user posted, “It’s so crazy that they’ve had to post Imane Khelif childhood pictures to prove that she was born a woman because she packed a white woman with one punch in 40 seconds. White women tears ruin lives..” This post garnered over 5 million views.
It’s so crazy that they’ve had to post Imane Khelif childhood pictures to prove that she was born a woman because she packed a white woman with one punch in 40 seconds. White women tears ruin lives.
— inqilāb (@tastefullysaucy) August 1, 2024
Another user responded, “Right?!!! Carini just sucks and this isn’t the first time she’s forfeited and cried on camera during a game. But everyone seems to be losing their minds just because Imane has a sick jawline..”
Another X user remarked, “She’s in the wrong sport if she complains she got punched too hard. Boxing is mainly about getting punched so maybe take up another sport if you don’t want to get hit.”
The official Algerian FC account posted a video of the match on X, noting, “It’s curious that when Imane Khelif lost to Kellie Harrington in the quarterfinals at the 2020 Olympics, no one questioned her gender. It seems that certain individuals are quick to latch onto any conspiracy theory.”
Here’s the first round of the Kellie Harrington vs Imane Khelif fight from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, which Harrington won. No false allegations were made then by disingenuous transphobic bigots.
Full fight starts at 1:47:00 https://t.co/Ae6TSk2W8i https://t.co/9mKqqfk6jY pic.twitter.com/8S1pSwCFdc
— Mauricio Schneider (@MauRSchneider) August 1, 2024
What are your thoughts on this controversy?