Boxer Imane Khelif, Whose Gender Identity Has Been Questioned, Condemns ‘Bullying’ Of Athletes & Wins Gold At Paris Olympics

After facing backlash about her eligibility in the 2024 Paris Olympics, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has spoken out against bullying athletes.

“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 to SNTV. “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.”

Her words were prompted by an encounter she had last week with Italian boxer Angela Carini, who bowed out of the Olympics after 46 seconds due to pain in her nose.

Carini did not shake Khelif’s hand after the match and instead began to sob, resulting in comments by conservative media personalities and officials about Khelif’s gender. While the 25-year-old does not identify as transgender, rumors have circulated about unspecified tests which have contributed to conversations about gender eligibility in the games.

Despite allegations, the International Olympic Committee said all athletes competing in Paris comply with the eligibility regulations. During her interview on SNTV, Khelif thanked Thomas Back, president of the committee, for defending her.

“I know that the Olympic Committee has done me justice, and I am happy with this remedy because it shows the truth,” she said.

Another Olympic boxer, Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, has also been previously banned from competition due to failing a gender identity test.

On Tuesday, Khelif beat Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng in the welterweight semi-final. On Friday, she beat China’s Yang Liu for the gold.