Algerian Olympic boxer Imane Kayrouf has called for an end to bullying of athletes after competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics, but unfounded claims about her gender have sparked outrage, particularly among right-wing figures.
“I send a message to people all over the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter and to refrain from bullying all athletes because it has a huge impact,” Khelif told SNTV, The Associated Press’ sports video partner, in Arabic. “Bullying can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, their minds, their hearts. It can divide people, so I ask people to refrain from bullying.”
Keilf was embroiled in controversy last week during a bout with Italian boxer Angela Carini, who abandoned the bout 46 seconds into the bout, after which Keilf told reporters she had stopped due to severe pain in her nose.
After Wednesday’s match, Carini refused to shake Khelif’s hand and instead dropped to his knees in tears, sparking a wider debate about transgender athletes in competitive sport, with conservative commentators, media members and lawmakers spreading a range of conspiracy theories about Khelif’s gender.
Lin, 28, who won her bout against Uzbekistan’s Shitra Turdibekova on Friday, also does not identify as transgender. Both athletes competed with little controversy in the women’s division at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
The 25-year-old Kielf spoke about the pressures and challenges of facing criticism while competing far from home and family, according to the Associated Press.
“I am in contact with my family two days a week and I hope they are not seriously affected,” he told The Associated Press. “They are worried about me. With God’s blessing, this crisis will end with a gold medal, which would be the best response.”
The criticism of Keilf and another Olympic boxer, Lin Yuting, came after the International Boxing Association, who has banned her for life from the Olympics, claimed both Keilf and Lin failed a vague eligibility test at last year’s women’s world boxing championships in New Delhi.
International Olympic Committee (IOC)Last ThursdayHe said all athletes taking part in the boxing competition at this year’s Paris Games were complying with the tournament’s eligibility and entry rules.
“As with previous Olympic boxing events, athletes’ gender and age will be determined based on their passports,” the organizing committee said.
Khelif expressed her gratitude to the IOC and its president, Thomas Bach, for supporting her against the International Boxing Association’s claims.
“I know that the Olympic Committee has dealt with me justly and I am satisfied with this action because it shows the truth,” she told SNTV.
Khelif was reported as saying he recognised he had become embroiled in an international debate over gender in sport but had tried to maintain some distance from it.
“To be honest, I don’t follow any social media,” she told The Associated Press. “Especially at the Olympics, we have a mental health team that doesn’t allow me or any other athlete to follow any social media. I’m here to compete and do well.”
Khelif I kept fighting and I defeated Anna-Luka Hamori of Hungary reached the Olympic semifinals on Saturday. She will compete again in the women’s 66 kg semifinals on Tuesday against Janjaem Suwannapen of Thailand. If Khelib wins, she will play for the gold medal on Friday.
According to the Associated Press, Kherif said he had a large crowd of supporters at the fight venue, and his win over Hamoli this week appears to have brought some relief to the Algerian fighter.
“I couldn’t control my nerves,” Kheriff said in an interview. “After the media frenzy and the victory, I felt a mixture of joy and great shock. To be honest, this was never easy. It was an assault on human dignity.”
Carini apologised for his behaviour after the match last week, saying his abandonment was not a political move and that he regretted not shaking Khelif’s hand.
