Imane Khelif, the Algerian Olympic fighter suspected of having male chromosomes, won the gold medal in the women’s welterweight division by defeating China’s Yang Liu with a unanimous decision on Friday.
This impressive and thorough victory in Paris marked Khelif’s fourth consecutive win against female opponents.
RETWEET! The IOC has failed women.
A male boxer is now the female Olympic champion.
Imane Khelif beats Yang Liu.
Male power smashes female talent#Paris2024 #ImaneKhelif#xx pic.twitter.com/mtgRBZ1kl8— FairPlayForWomen (@fairplaywomen) August 9, 2024
Both Khelif and Taiwanese fighter Lin Yu-ting have stirred up significant controversy in Paris as they were both excluded from the 2023 Women’s World Championships due to unsuccessful gender tests.
In 2023, the IBA President Umar Kremlev explained his organization’s decision to disqualify Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting and Algeria’s Imane Khelif from competing in the IBA’s 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships, according to Russia’s Tass News 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.
Khelif, who claims to be unbothered by the swirling controversy, told the AP earlier this week that the heated debate does not change the goal.
“I wish to be ready and show a good standard, show my talent, because I want to entertain everyone,” Khelif told reporters.
Online backlash ensued after videos surfaced of Khelif inflicting punishment on female fighters and jubilantly celebrating his actions.
Imane Khelif is currently beating yet another woman in the ring.
It looks like he's going to win meaning he is GUARANTEED to win AT LEAST a silver medal.
Shameful. pic.twitter.com/gDekHaNVYk
— Brandubh (@brandubh4) August 6, 2024
Bravo Imane 🇩🇿🇩🇿🇩🇿🇩🇿🇩🇿🇩🇿❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️🇩🇿🇩🇿🇩🇿🇩🇿🇩🇿❤️#Iman_Khalif pic.twitter.com/yumpNcdNd2
— Asmahane Bachir Bouaidjra اسمهان بشير بويجرة (@AsmahanBachirb) August 6, 2024
However, in the face of the controversy, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stood firm in their backing of Khelif and Yu-ting.
“Everyone competing in the women’s category is complying with the competition eligibility rules,” IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said. “They are women in their passports, and it’s stated that this is the case.”
Yu-ting is set to compete for the gold medal in the women’s 57kg division on Saturday.
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