Imane Khelif: Why Everyone From US Campaigns To JK Rowling To Paris Is Talking About Her (image-X/AfricaViewFacts)
The Paris Olympics 2024 has found itself in the middle of a gender diversity and fairness debate in sports after Algerian boxer Imane Khelif knocked out their Italian opponent Angela Carini in 46 seconds in the 66 kg women’s boxing category.
The controversy comes after Khelif, who failed the gender eligibility tests for the World Boxing Championships, was allowed by the International Olympic Committee to participate in the Paris Olympics this year.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) emphasised that “every person has the right to practise sport without discrimination,” and reaffirmed that all athletes participating in the 2024 Paris boxing tournament comply with the competition’s eligibility, entry regulations, and all applicable medical regulations set by the Paris Boxing Unit (PBU).
Read Also: Who Is Imane Khelif?
The Controversial Match That Ended In 46 Seconds
Italian boxer Carini abandoned her welterweight round of 16 bouts against Khelif after 46 seconds into the match. After her half-minute discussion with her coach, she returned to the ring and refused to continue her match, claiming that the Algerian boxer’s punches were the hardest she faced in her entire career. Prioritising her health over the match, Carini left the match citing an apparent nose injury.
“For me, it’s not a defeat. For me, when you climb those ropes, you’re already a warrior, you’re already a winner. Regardless of everything, it’s okay, I am fine like this. I didn’t lose tonight … I only did my job as a fighter. I got in the ring, and I fought. I didn’t make it. I’m coming out with my head held high and with a broken heart,” said the Italian boxer.
Speaking on Khelif, Carini said, “I wish her to carry on until the end and that she can be happy. I am someone who doesn’t judge anyone. I am not here to give judgements. I didn’t. For me, they weren’t things that stopped me or blocked me mentally.”
While Carini backed out, citing her health, many started targeting Khelif’s gender identity and her qualifications.
Khelif And Her Qualification
In 2023, Khelif was disqualified hours before her gold medal match at the women’s World Championships in Delhi. She was disqualified because a high level of testosterone was found in her system.
Apart from Khelif, Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, a double world champion, also lost her bronze medal at the same competition for the same reason. Both the boxers have been allowed to participate in the Olympics this year.
In June 2023, the IOC stripped the International Boxing Association (IBA) of its right to govern international amateur boxing owing to the IBA’s alleged failure to reform issues related to financial, ethical, and governance-related issues.
Additionally, since the IOC’s rules allow the inclusion of athletes with gender diversity and DSDs (Differences of Sexual Development), both the Algerian and Taiwanese boxers have been permitted to compete in the games this year. Khelif, who has not publicly identified as transgender or intersex, is one of the several athletes navigating this complex and contentious discourse.
Backlash By The Right-Wing
Soon after the match, a controversy erupted, with many expressing their disapproval of the inclusion of Khelif and discrediting the boxer’s skills and achievements. The common names that come up every time there is a debate of gender on X made their opinions apparent this time as well.
Harry Potter author, JK Rowling went on to post several tweets regarding the issue. “Watch this (whole thread), then explain why you’re OK with a man beating a woman in public for your entertainment. This isn’t sport. From the bullying cheat in red all the way up to the organisers who allowed this to happen, this is men revelling in their power over women,” tweeted Rowling, who has gained the label of ‘transphobic’ for her statements over the years.
Watch this (whole thread), then explain why you’re OK with a man beating a woman in public for your entertainment. This isn’t sport. From the bullying cheat in red all the way up to the organisers who allowed this to happen, this is men revelling in their power over women. https://t.co/u32FcDTy9p
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 1, 2024
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Elon Musk weighed in with an “absolutely” and praised former US president Donald Trump’s remarks on banning biological males from competing in women’s sports. Notably, Musk recently made headlines after his daughter, Vivian Jenna Wilson, who identifies as a transperson, called him out for spreading lies and being an absent father.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 1, 2024
The Republican Party seized the opportunity, criticising Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris and President Joe Biden’s administration’s progressive policies on gender identity and sexual orientation.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni argued that athletes with male genetic characteristics should not compete in women’s sports.
Solidarity And Support Against Misinformation
The Algerian government extended their support to the boxers. Reacting to the backlash Khelif is receiving, Alegria’s Olympic committee called it a “malicious and unethical attack directed against our distinguished athlete, Imane Khelif, by certain foreign media.”
Several others highlighted the absence of such criticism when the Algerian boxer faced defeat throughout her career. “Isn’t it interesting how at the 2020 Olympics, when Imane Khelif lost to Kellie Harrington in the quarterfinals, literally no one accused her of being a man? It’s almost as if brain dead right wing morons will hope on any conspiracy theory train,” said a user.
Isn’t it interesting how at the 2020 Olympics, when Imane Khelif lost to Kellie Harrington 🇮🇪 in the quarterfinals, literally no one accused her of being a man?
It’s almost as if brain dead right wing morons will hope on any conspiracy theory train pic.twitter.com/jH290S4L4K
— Algeria FC (@Algeria_FC) August 1, 2024
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Disseminating the misinformation, another user pointed out that Khelif has lost nine times. “She has NINE losses. She was in the last Olympics and didn’t win anything! Only 11% of her victories are knock outs! She’s from a country where you’re not even allowed to transition if you wanted to. To the hateful and ignorant this doesn’t matter and they don’t know that because they found out who this was recently, and Khelif is just someone to be used in the culture war,” highlighted the user.
People would rather spread misinformation instead of simply doing cursory research. The way these grifters and concern trolls are acting, you’d think Imane Khelif was just Mike Tysoning dainty women left and right.
She has NINE losses. She was in the last Olympics and didn’t win… pic.twitter.com/iPvPpzt5CG
— Ibou, of WrestlePurists (@BackupHangman) August 1, 2024
