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VERY QUICKLY05 Aug 2024
Everything that is wrong with the Imane Khelif controversy
- Gender-related sporting debates primarily focus on women athletes, and never men. First up, Algerian boxer (and assured medal winner), Imane Khelif identifies as female since birth.
- Khelif found herself in a gender controversy after her match with Italian boxer Angela Carini ended in 46 seconds, with Carini refusing to shake her hand.
- Soon the internet went on overdrive, calling Khelif a man, trans and spreading misinformation regarding her eligibility.
- The inaccurate statements were based on an unspecified “gender test” and a disqualification decision at a championship in Delhi in 2023 by the International Boxing Association. The IBA was stripped of its position as a governing body by the International Olympic Committee in the same year.
- In sports, attacking a strong woman is not new. Tennis star Serena Williams was accused of “being a man,” while Simone Biles has spoken about being bullied for her muscular arms.
