Imane Khelif

Imane Khelif takes legal action over claims of XY chromosomes

Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif is taking legal action against French media reports that claimed she has XY chromosomes. The 25-year-old boxer, who won gold at the Paris Olympics, has filed a complaint with French authorities regarding online harassment she faced during the Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) expressed concern over the abuse Khelif endured, calling it “saddening.” The IOC reaffirmed that all athletes, including Khelif, met the eligibility and medical requirements for the Paris 2024 boxing competition. Khelif, from Algeria, also competed in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

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Algerian boxer Imane Khelif speaks out on gender identity issue

Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif has spoken out for the first time since winning gold in the women’s 66-kilogram category at the Paris Games, addressing the scrutiny and misinformation she endured. Khelif revealed the emotional impact of false allegations questioning her gender, which began after her Italian opponent, Angela Carini, withdrew from their match. Despite the International Olympic Committee’s support and condemnation of the false claims, high-profile figures like Donald Trump, J.K. Rowling, and Elon Musk contributed to the controversy with critical remarks. “It hurt me deeply and caused immense fear,” Khelif told Algerian news channel El Bilad. “I can’t describe how scary it was. Thankfully, people in Algeria and the Arab world know me for my femininity, courage, and determination.” Khelif expressed frustration over the politicization of sports and condemned the unfounded accusations as an insult to her, her family, and Algeria. “They have no right to label me as transgender. This is an offense to my family, to Algeria, and to the Arab world,” she said. In response to the harassment, Khelif’s lawyer, Nabil Boudi, has filed a complaint with the Paris prosecutor’s office, leading to an investigation into the online hate campaign. Charges under consideration include cyber harassment, public insults based on gender, and incitement to discrimination. Khelif remains resolute in her demand for justice and respect. “I will accept an apology if offered, but to those who don’t apologize, I say: I am a female and will remain so, and my honor comes before everything,” she affirmed.

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Algerian boxer Imane Khelif wins gold

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif secured a gold medal on Friday at the Paris Olympics, triumphing in a challenging tournament marked by intense scrutiny and online abuse. Khelif, who faced misconceptions and attacks questioning her womanhood, defeated China’s Yang Liu 5:0 in the women’s welterweight final. The match took place at Roland Garros, where Khelif was cheered on by enthusiastic crowds waving Algerian flags. Following her victory, Khelif celebrated with her coaches and proudly displayed an Algerian flag. “For eight years, this has been my dream,” she said through an interpreter. “Despite the attacks, my success tastes even sweeter.” The scrutiny Khelif faced stemmed from controversies surrounding her eligibility and false claims about her gender. These issues began after the International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified her and another boxer, Li Yu-ting, from last year’s world championships, citing an unclear eligibility test. Khelif, who has competed in IBA events since 2018, responded to critics by emphasizing her authenticity. “I’m a woman like any other woman. I was born as a woman, I live as a woman, and I am qualified,” she asserted. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has since banned the IBA from the Olympics, criticizing its governance and sex testing practices. Despite the IBA’s tarnished reputation and amplified disinformation, Khelif excelled in Paris, winning every round in her matches. Khelif’s gold medal is Algeria’s first in women’s boxing and only the nation’s second overall, joining Hocine Soltani’s 1996 gold. The victory has made her a national hero, celebrated in Algeria with public screenings and murals. Her performance in Paris culminated a remarkable tournament, beginning with an unusual first bout where her opponent withdrew early due to injury. Khelif’s resilience and skill shone through, earning her the title of one of the best Olympic boxers. As Khelif enjoys her well-deserved accolade, the spotlight now shifts to Lin, who competes for Taiwan’s first boxing gold medal on Saturday.

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