Olympic boxer Imane Khelif emphasized the damaging impact of the hateful scrutiny she has endured due to misconceptions about her gender, stating that it “harms human dignity.” She urged an end to bullying of athletes after experiencing a significant backlash internationally.
In an interview with SNTV, a sports video partner of The Associated Press, the Algerian athlete opened up about her challenging Olympic journey and called on people around the world to respect Olympic principles and refrain from bullying athletes.
“I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects,” Khelif said in Arabic. “It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying.”
Despite facing online abuse based on unfounded claims about their gender, Khelif and fellow boxer Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan have achieved success in the ring at the Paris Games. Both athletes have secured their first Olympic medals amid ongoing controversies surrounding gender identity and sports regulations.
Khelif, 25, acknowledged the challenges of dealing with this situation while competing away from home on the biggest stage of her athletic career.
Expressing gratitude to the International Olympic Committee and its president, Thomas Bach, for their support, Khelif emphasized her commitment to pursuing an Olympic gold medal for Algeria in women’s boxing.
Khelif has been able to count on strong support from fans, with cheers and Algerian flags waving in the crowd during her bouts. Despite the external scrutiny and criticism, she remains focused on her goal of winning a medal.
Khelif’s journey began with a victory over Angela Carini of Italy, followed by a matchup against Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand in the upcoming bout. She is determined to continue competing and striving for success, undeterred by the negative chatter and false accusations surrounding her.
Reflecting on her experiences, Khelif emphasized the importance of mental health support and staying focused on her performance while avoiding social media distractions during the Olympic Games.
Khelif’s resilience and determination in the face of adversity have been evident in her performances, with her victory over Hamori serving as a poignant moment of accomplishment and emotion. Despite the challenges she has faced, Khelif remains steadfast in her pursuit of excellence in the sport.
