Algerian boxer Imane Khelif called for an end to “bullying all athletes” while giving her first extensive comments in response to being at the center of a gender controversy at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects,” Khelif said in Arabic during an interview with SNTV, which was re-shared by the Associated Press. “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, 25, who publicly declared “I am a woman” after defeating Anna Luca Hamori in the semifinals of the women’s welterweight tournament on Saturday (August 3), was previously ruled ineligible by the International Boxing Association after failing gender tests last year, which led to many critics online falsely labeling her as transgender and resulted in heated political debates. The IBA, which has historically been dominated by Russia, was banned from the Olympics last year and hasn’t overseen Olympic boxing since 2016.
Khelif, who has identified as female since birth and is listed as female on her passport for Algeria, which prohibits transitioning, previously defeated Angela Carini of Italy, who refused to shake her hand and claimed “this is unjust,” in 46 seconds last week, which led to online outrage.
“All this controversy makes me sad,” Carini later told the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport via the New York Post. “I’m sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.”
Khelif is scheduled to face Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand in the welterweight semifinal on Tuesday (August 6).
iHeartMedia is providing 24/7 coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics broadcasting live on NBC Olympics Radio Plus and play-by-play action during live premium events on NBC Olympics Radio.
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