Controversial Olympic boxer urges critics to stop 'bullying' her

Everyone and their mother had an opinion about Algerian boxer Imane Khelif's win over Italy's Angela Carini in a women's 66 kg bout at the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

Following her victory, rumors surfaced on social media about her gender. The chatter was sparked by Khelif's disqualification from the 2023 Women's World Boxing Championships where she allegedly failed unspecified gender eligibility tests. While citing those reports, many prominent voices called for the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to disqualify Khelif from the Paris Games. 

However, the IOC has continued to support the boxer, reiterating that there is no medical evidence to confirm that she has XY chromosomes or elevated levels of testosterone. The IOC even blasted the International Boxing Association (IBA) for Khelif's previous disqualification, calling the decision "sudden and arbitrary" and taken "without any due process."

Through the ordeal, Khelif has kept her composure, telling reporters that she does not follow social media and remains razor-focused on winning a medal for her country. However, on Sunday, she went to bat for herself and other athletes in a similar situation — such as Lin Yu-Ting of Chinese Taipei — by telling SNTV that the wave of scrutiny she has faced about her gender "harms human dignity." 

Khelif further said that athletes don't deserve to be "bullied" due to misconceptions.

"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. "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." 

"I know that the Olympic Committee has done me justice, and I am happy with this remedy because it shows the truth," added Khelif of the IOC's unwavering support of her eligibility. 

The IBA and IOC have remained at odds about the situation. On Monday, the IBA maintained via a news conference that Khelif should not have been allowed to participate in the Paris Games.