Imane Khelif has handled intense backlash throughout the 2024 Summer Olympics. Through all of it Khelif has continued to search out success within the boxing ring, most recently winning a gold medal. The controversy emerged from people questioning her sex, as some believed she was not truly a biological woman. Khelif had a passionate message for all the critics after winning gold on the Olympics, via Greg Beacham of The Associated Press.
“I’m fully qualified to participate on this competition,” Khelif said. “I’m a girl like several other woman. I used to be born as a girl. I live as a girl. These (attacks) are the enemies of success. That’s what I call them. That also gives my success a special taste, due to those attacks.”
The scrutiny she received stemmed from her victory over Italian boxer Angela Carini. Videos emerged of the fight and a few fans didn’t imagine Khelif was truly a biological woman. It immediately led to people running with the concept and sharing opinions.
Khelif made it clear that she is indeed a girl, though. Carini displayed sympathy while discussing the topic.
“All this controversy makes me sad,” Carini told Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, via bbc.com. “I’m sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she will fight, I respect that call.”
Imane Khelif starting to receive support
Some fans have modified their mind on the situation. With Khelif allowed to fight, she is starting to receive much more support than she did following the victory over Carini.
“Each one in all Imane Khelif’s wins any further out goes to feel so personal to so many individuals including me. Just have a look at her smile and emotions in any case that nuisance she was dragged through. That’s peak strength,” one fan wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
“Imane Khelif sold scrap metal to pay for her boxing training, is a UNICEF ambassador, stood up against horrific bullying, and is now an Olympic champion,” one other fan added.
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III chimed in.
“Imane Khelif is Algeria’s 1st Boxing Olympic Gold Medalist EVER. NOT A MAN competing in Women’s sports. NOT TRANSGENDER. She’s a BIOLOGICAL FEMALE who SHOULD BE CELEBRATED not bullied and used to push political agendas. Protect women and stop bullying her,” Griffin wrote.
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The account called Women Posting W’s also shared a message.
“Imane Khelif wins her first Olympic gold medal in the ladies’s 66kg. She won the fight by unanimous decision, winning every round on every judge’s scorecard. It’s such a deserved win in any case the unjustified vitriol and hate she’s needed to endure,” the account wrote.
Khelif is an Olympics gold medal winner
There might be fans who proceed to criticize Khelif. There might be fans who fully support her. Either way, the very fact of the matter is that she is now a gold medal winner on the Olympics.
Winning gold is a dream for a lot of young athletes. Khelif actually worked hard to perform the feat.
