Imane Khelif has condemned the questioning of her gender and the hateful comments she has received as a result, calling for an end to “bullying against all athletes” in her first detailed comments on the issue.
Kheriff, 25, and fellow boxer Lin Yuting are at the center of a controversy over unfounded allegations about their gender, which erupted on Thursday when Italian boxer Angela Carini threw in the towel 46 seconds into her bout with Kheriff.
“I send a message to people all over the world to respect the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter and not to bully any athlete, because this will have a big impact,” Khelif said in Arabic in an interview with SNTV. According to the Associated Press.
“Bullying can destroy people, it can kill people’s minds, their spirits and their hearts. It can divide people. That’s why I ask people to refrain from bullying.”
The high-profile issue surrounding Khelif and Lin stems from the International Boxing Association banning them from competing in the 2023 world championships after they failed gender eligibility tests for the women’s competition.
The IBA has not released details about the tests it carries out and during the interview, Kherif declined to say whether he underwent any other tests besides doping.
Criticism has come from all walks of life, including former president and current Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump and Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling.
2024 Paris Olympics
Kheriff has identified as a woman since birth, is listed as a woman on her passport, and has competed in women’s boxing since she began boxing.
The Algerian boxer, who has already won a medal in Paris, said he has been talking with his family through his Olympic experience and the drama surrounding it.
“I am in contact with my family two days a week. I hope they are not seriously affected,” she said. “They are worried about me. With God’s blessing, this crisis will end with a gold medal. That would be the best response.”
Kheriff will face Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapen and if he wins he will qualify for the gold medal match on Friday.
