Olympic boxer Imane Khelif says she's 'victim' in gender scandal as she issues warning

Algerian women's boxer Imane Khelif has bravely taken a stand against the hateful critics amid the engulfing controversy at the Paris Olympics , particularly focusing on the intense scrutiny regarding her gender.

The athlete's story and her fight for respect and recognition are capturing attention as she vies for the coveted Olympic gold. Khelif was met with criticism after dominating Italian opponent Angela Carini in a brief but decisive 66-kilogram class bout that lasted a mere 46 seconds before Carini retreated to her corner, signaling the end of the match at the North Paris Arena.

Despite securing herself a medal and making strides in Paris, Khelif is dealing with backlash that has left the 25-year-old boxer feeling wounded by the debate. In an emotionally charged interview with SNTV on Sunday night, delivered in Arabic, Khelif passionately condemned the toxic rhetoric about her gender, calling it "harmful to human dignity."

She implored the global community to embrace the true spirit of the Olympics, urging: "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."

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Elaborating on the damage caused by such negativity, she stated: "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."

Controversy is not new to Khelif; back in 2023, she failed a gender eligibility test despite being a biological female and, along with fellow boxer Lin Yu-Ting, was banned from the 2023 World Championships overseen by the International Boxing Association. Despite these setbacks, the International Olympic Committee gave Khelif the green light to compete in the current Olympic Games.

She had been a regular competitor in IBA events for several years without any issues until she was suddenly suspended from last year's world championships. The Russian-dominated body, which has been at odds with the IOC for years, has declined to share any details about the tests.

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After her victory over Hungary's Anna Luca Hamori on Saturday, Khelif made her way to the center of the ring, waved to her ecstatic fans, knelt down, and slammed her palm on the canvas. Her smile slowly disappeared as she became overwhelmed by her emotions.

"I couldn't control my nerves," Khelif admitted. "Because after the media frenzy and after the victory, there was a mix of joy and at the same time, I was greatly affected, because honestly, it wasn't an easy thing to go through at all. It was something that harms human dignity."

Taiwan's Lin has also secured an Olympic medal amidst the controversy surrounding unproven allegations about her gender. Khelif hinted that the stress and agony of the scandal combined with the competition has been challenging, especially when she is so far away from home.

"I am in contact with my family two days a week. I hope that they weren't affected deeply," Khelif added. "They are worried about me. God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal, and that would be the best response."

When questioned about undergoing any tests beyond doping ones, Khelif chose not to respond. She then thanked the IOC for their support and insisted that no accusations would deter her from pursuing Algeria's first Olympic gold in women's boxing.

Khelif is set to face Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng in the women's 66-kilogram semi-finals at Roland Garros on Tuesday, Aug. 6.