Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has reportedly been “greatly affected” by being at the center of a gender controversy at the 2024 Paris Olympics, according to her coach, Mohammed Chaoua.
“We have worked hard over the past two years,” said Chaoua, who has coached Khelif since she was a teenager, in a cafe outside the Olympic Village, via the New York Post.
Khelif, 25, who won her semifinal match on Tuesday (August 6) to clinch a spot in the 66kg final against Yang Liu of China, 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. Carini later apologized to Khelif and claimed “all this controversy makes me sad.”
Khelif called for an end to “bullying all athletes” while giving her first extensive comments in response to the controversy.
“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.”
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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