Algerian boxer Imane Khelif is set to enter the ring at the Paris Olympics once again on Saturday amidst intense scrutiny and online abuse due to misunderstandings about her gender, which have sparked a larger debate about identity in sports.
Khelif will face off against Anna Luca Hamori of Hungary in the quarterfinals of the women’s 66-kilogram category. Despite Hungary’s boxing association initially planning to challenge the match with the International Olympic Committee, they eventually allowed the fight to proceed. A win for Khelif would secure Algeria’s seventh Olympic boxing medal, the first since 2000 and their first ever in women’s boxing.
In her opening bout, Khelif emerged victorious when her opponent Angela Carini of Italy tearfully withdrew from the fight after just 46 seconds. This unusual conclusion further fueled the ongoing controversy over gender identity and regulations in sports, attracting attention from figures like former U.S. President Donald Trump and “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling, who falsely claimed that Khelif was either a man or transgender.
Amidst a Paris Games that emphasizes inclusion and diversity, LGBTQ+ groups have expressed concerns about the hateful comments and their potential impact on their community and female athletes.
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IOC President Thomas Bach has come to the defense of Khelif and fellow boxer Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan. Both athletes were disqualified during last year’s world championships by the International Boxing Association, the former governing body of Olympic boxing, due to disputed eligibility tests for the women’s category.
Despite the lack of transparency from the association, Bach affirmed that Khelif and Lin have always competed as women and have the necessary documentation to prove their gender identity. The ongoing dispute highlights the challenges in defining the criteria for gender in sports.
Khelif is aiming to secure a medal in her second Olympics after missing out on one in the 2021 Tokyo Games. Meanwhile, Lin could clinch her first Olympic medal if she defeats Svetlana Staneva of Bulgaria in the upcoming match.
Despite facing intense scrutiny, both Khelif and Lin have received overwhelming support from the audience at the North Paris Arena.
The Paris Olympics boxing tournament features a reduced field with the lowest number of boxers since 1956. The event now offers gender parity, inviting equal numbers of male and female athletes to compete in the sport.
