Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer who failed a gender test prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics, recently won a fight against a Hungarian boxer, guaranteeing herself at least a bronze medal at the Summer Games. This victory came through a unanimous decision in the 66-kilogram fight, as there are no bronze medal matches at the Olympics. Despite the potential for Khelif to lose in the semifinals, she will still walk away with a medal. Khelif has been embroiled in a gender eligibility controversy since being disqualified from the 2023 Women’s World Championships, with the International Olympic Committee supporting her participation in women’s boxing events.
The International Olympic Committee president, Thomas Bach, has spoken out against the hate speech and aggression directed towards Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-Ting, who are competing in the women’s division. The Algerian Olympic Committee filed an official complaint with the IOC regarding the online harassment aimed at Khelif, citing a violation of sports ethics and the Olympic Charter. They also warned of potential legal action against those responsible for the campaign against Khelif. Despite the controversy, Khelif continues to compete and has reached the quarterfinals at the Olympics.
Italian boxer Angela Carini expressed regret over her Olympic match against Khelif, who had failed the gender test. Carini abandoned their match just 46 seconds into the round of 16, allowing Khelif to advance to the quarterfinals. The Algerian team has faced backlash and protests over Khelif’s participation, but Hamori, the Hungarian fighter Khelif defeated, remained focused on the fight and was not deterred by the controversy. She stated that she was not scared and did not pay attention to the press or social media stories surrounding Khelif.
Khelif’s victory over Hamori at the Olympics has solidified her path to at least a bronze medal, highlighting the ongoing debate around gender eligibility in sports. The controversy surrounding Khelif’s participation in women’s boxing events has sparked discussions on social media and within the sporting community, with differing opinions on the matter. Despite the challenges and criticisms she has faced, Khelif remains focused on her boxing career and continues to compete at a high level despite the distractions. The outcome of these events will likely have a lasting impact on the future of gender testing and eligibility in sports.
