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Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, embroiled in a gender eligibility controversy, recently made headlines after her quick victory over Angela Carini at the Paris Olympics, amidst ongoing debate about her eligibility and fairness in women’s boxing.
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif is at the center of a gender eligibility controversy, which intensified after her win over Italian fighter Angela Carini at the Paris Olympics on August 1.
Khelif, now competing in her second Olympics, first represented Algeria at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in 2021. Since then, she has been surrounded by controversy, and the recent victory has only added fuel to the fire, reported Fox News.
Khelif, 25, is a boxer from Algeria’s Tiaret. She grew up in a rural village and got into boxing despite her father’s disapproval. Khelif is now a UNICEF ambassador and shares her journey in the sport.
From Olympic quarters to controversial disqualification
Khelif started boxing at 19 and was placed 17th in the 2018 World Championships. In 2019, she finished 19th at the Women’s World Boxing Championships. At the 2020 Olympics, she reached the quarterfinals but lost to Kellie Harrington. In 2022, Khelif came in second at the Women’s World Boxing Championships, losing to Amy Broadhurst. She won gold in the 2022 African Championships, Mediterranean Games, and 2023 Arab Games.
The 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships is where Khelif faced controversy. Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 championships just before the gold medal match due to gender eligibility issues. IBA President Umar Kremlev explained the decision to Russia’s TASS Agency.
“Based on DNA tests, we identified a number of athletes who tried to trick their colleagues into posing as women. According to the results of the tests, it was proved that they have XY chromosomes. Such athletes were excluded from competition,” Kremlev said.
The Algerian Olympic Committee initially cited “medical reasons” for Khelif’s disqualification, while Algerian media reported that high testosterone levels were the actual cause, according to Reuters.
Khelif responded to the news on Algerian Ennahar TV, claiming, “There are some countries that did not want Algeria to win a gold medal. This is a conspiracy and a big conspiracy, and we will not be silent about it.”
Khelif qualified for the Paris Olympics, which renewed controversy about the boxer’s gender. International Olympic Committee spokesperson Mark Adams attempted to clarify the situation. He stated that everyone competing in the women’s category is following the competition eligibility rules and that they are listed as female in their passports.
IBA explains
The International Boxing Association (IBA) released a new statement before Khelif’s match, explaining the disqualification. They said that on March 24, 2023, they disqualified athletes Lin Yu-ting and Imane Khelif from the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi 2023 due to their failure to meet the eligibility criteria for the women’s competition, as outlined in IBA Regulations. This decision was made after a thorough review to maintain fairness and integrity in the competition.
The IBA noted that the athletes did not undergo a testosterone examination but were subject to a separate, confidential test, which indicated that they did not meet the necessary eligibility criteria and had competitive advantages over other female competitors. The IBA also reported that Khelif underwent two tests, one in 2022 and another in 2023. Khelif appealed the decision to the Court for Arbitration of Sport but withdrew, making the IBA’s decision legally binding.
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The IBA added that their Committees reviewed and supported the decision made during the World Championships. They expressed concern over the inconsistent application of eligibility criteria by other sporting organizations, including those overseeing the Olympic Games. The IOC’s differing regulations, in which the IBA is not involved, raise serious questions about competitive fairness and athletes’ safety.
In response, the IOC defended its eligibility requirements, stating that Khelif met all requirements, “These two athletes were the victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA. Towards the end of the IBA World Championships in 2023, they were suddenly disqualified without any due process.”
Khelif vs Carini
In a stunning 46-second bout on August 1, Khelif defeated Italy’s Angela Carini in the 66-kilogram division. Videos of the bout showed that Angela Carini chose to walk back to her corner after just 46 seconds in the ring with Imane Khelif at the Paris Olympics. There, she consulted with her coaches and then decided to forfeit her bout in tears. Overcome by the challenge, Carini declared it ‘impossible to continue,’ sparking a wave of emotional moments.
Following the fight, Carini voiced her frustration, questioning the fairness of the encounter in Italian. She later explained her decision to abandon the match, stating, “I got into the ring to fight. I didn’t give up, but one punch hurt too much, and so I said enough. I’m going out with my head held high.”
Khelif took to Instagram to celebrate the victory with a simple yet triumphant post: “First victory.”
Social media is a battleground of applause and criticism
Former Arsenal midfielder Ismael Bennacer has spoken out against the “unjustified hatred” directed at Olympic boxer Imane Khelif, who faced criticism after her opponent withdrew early from their match following a failed testosterone test last year. Bennacer, who like Khelif is of Algerian descent, defended the boxer and emphasized that her qualification for the 2024 Olympics was due to “talent and hard work.”
Ranaut’s post read, “This girl had to fight a 7 feet tall naturally born male, who has all body parts like a natural male, he looks and behaves like a man, he beat her in the boxing ring like a male beats a female in physical abuse scenario but he says he identifies as a female so guess who won the women’s boxing match? Woke culture is the most unfair and unjust practice. Speak up before it is your baby girl whose job or medal taken away. #SaveWomenSports.”
One social media user shared a post writing, “It’s so crazy that they’ve had to post Imane Khelif childhood pictures to prove that she was born a woman because she packed a white woman with one punch in 40 seconds. White women tears ruin lives..” The post garnered over 3 million views. To this, another user responded saying, “Right?!!! Carini just sucks and this isn’t the first time she’s forfeited and cried on camera during a game. But everyone seems to be losing their minds just because Imane has a sick jawline..” Another X user said, “She’s in the wrong sport if she complains she got punched too hard. Boxing is mainly about getting punched so maybe take up another sport if you don’t want to get hit.”
The official handle of Algerian FC shared the video of the match on X and wrote, “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.”
Source: Indianexpress.com
