Boxer Imane Khelif Breaks Silence On Olympics Gender Controversy

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif , the woman whose inclusion at the 2024 Paris Olympics sparked a gender controversy, declared "I am a woman" to reporters after defeating Hungary's Anna Luca Hamori in the semifinals of the women's welterweight tournament, guaranteeing at least a bronze medal, the New York Post reports.

Khelif, 25, was previously ruled ineligible by the International Boxing Association after failing gender tests last year, which led to many critics online falsely labeling her as transgender and resulted in heated political debates. The IBA, which has historically been dominated by Russia, was banned from the Olympics last year and hasn't overseen Olympic boxing since 2016.

Khelif, who has identified as female since birth and is listed as female on her passport for Algeria, which prohibits transitioning, previously defeated Angela Carini of Italy, who refused to shake her hand and claimed "this is unjust," in 46 seconds last week, which led to online outrage.

“All this controversy makes me sad,” Carini later told the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport via the New York Post . “I’m sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.”

Khelif is scheduled to face Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand in the welterweight semifinal on Tuesday (August 6).

iHeartMedia is providing 24/7 coverage of the 2024 Paris Olympics broadcasting live on NBC Olympics Radio Plus and play-by-play action during live premium events on NBC Olympics Radio .

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