Olympic boxer Imane Khelif has condemned the wave of hateful scrutiny she has faced due to misconceptions about her gender, stating that such abuse “harms human dignity.” She called for an end to the bullying of athletes, highlighting the significant impact it has had on her.
In an interview with SNTV, a sports video partner of The Associated Press, Khelif reflected on her challenging Olympic journey. “I urge people worldwide to uphold Olympic principles and refrain from bullying athletes, as it has profound, damaging effects,” she said in Arabic. “It can destroy people’s spirit, thoughts, and minds, causing division. Therefore, I ask everyone to avoid such behavior.”
Khelif, alongside fellow boxer Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan, has garnered attention at the Paris Games for winning their first Olympic medals despite facing online abuse rooted in unfounded claims about their gender. This controversy has sparked broader discussions about gender identity and regulations in sports.
Khelif expressed concern for her family, who she contacts twice a week. “I hope they haven’t been deeply affected,” she said. “They are worried about me. I hope this crisis ends with a gold medal, which would be the best response.”
She thanked the International Olympic Committee and its president, Thomas Bach, for their unwavering support amid controversy stirred by the former governing body of Olympic boxing. “I appreciate the Committee’s fairness, as it has shown the truth,” Khelif said.
Khelif emphasized her determination to pursue Algeria’s first Olympic gold medal in women’s boxing despite the negativity. “I don’t care about anyone’s opinion,” she stated after her victory over Anna Luca Hamori of Hungary. “I came here to compete and win a medal. I am committed to improving and doing my best.”
Khelif began her Olympic campaign with a win over Angela Carini of Italy, who withdrew from the match after 46 seconds and later apologized to Khelif. This unusual outcome intensified the scrutiny Khelif faced, drawing comments from figures like former U.S. President Donald Trump and “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling, who made false claims about Khelif’s gender.
Originating from rural northwestern Algeria, Khelif initially played soccer before discovering her passion for boxing, despite her father’s initial objections. She traveled 10 kilometers by bus to train in a neighboring town. After overcoming early career struggles, Khelif has been a consistent international competitor for six years. She previously lost to eventual gold medalist Kellie Harrington of Ireland at the Tokyo Olympics.
Khelif’s next match in Paris is against Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand. A win would secure her a place in the gold medal bout on Friday.
