In a heartfelt interview with SNTV on Sunday night, where she spoke in Arabic, the boxer condemned the toxic chatter about her gender as 'harmful to human dignity' and made a plea: "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."
She continued with an impassioned defense: "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."
The backdrop to this saga includes Khelif's disqualification due to failing a gender eligibility test in 2023, in spite of being biologically female. Following this setback, which saw her and fellow boxer Lin Yu-Ting excluded from the 2023 World Championships by the International Boxing Association, the International Olympic Committee granted Khelif clearance to compete in the current Olympics.
IBA events were routine for her until a sudden suspension at last year's world championships stopped her in her tracks. The Russian-led organisation, which has been at odds with the IOC for ages, hasn't disclosed any details about the tests.
When Khelif emerged victorious over Hungary's Anna Luca Hamori on Saturday, she celebrated by stepping into the ring's heart, waving to her cheering supporters, kneeling down, and striking the canvas with her hand. However, the triumph was bittersweet as her smile vanished, replaced by overwhelming emotions.
Khelif confessed, "I couldn't control my nerves," and elaborated on her emotional journey, expressing, "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."
In parallel, Taiwan's Lin stands victorious with an Olympic medal, despite the harsh rumours challenging her gender identity without merit. Khelif reveals how the mix-up of intense scrutiny and the heat of competition weighed heavily on her, especially while being so remote from home.
She opened up further: "I am in contact with my family two days a week. I hope that they weren't affected deeply," worrying about their concern for her. Khelif remains hopeful that this ordeal will conclude with a gleaming gold medal, crowning it as the perfect retort to the ordeal.
When questioned about undergoing any tests other than doping ones, Khelif chose not to respond. She then thanked the IOC for their support and insisted that no accusations would deter her from trying to secure Algeria's first Olympic gold in women's boxing.
Khelif is set to face off against Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng in the women's 66-kilogram semifinals at Roland Garros on Tuesday, August 6.
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