Imane Khelif, a victim of harassment, has her father finally speaking out

 

Boxer Imane Khelif faced accusations of being transgender, and her father has finally broken his silence on the matter.

Since the start of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, this story has generated significant attention. Algerian boxer Imane Khelif became the center of controversy following a fight where her Italian opponent withdrew. After Khelif landed several punches, the Italian fighter quit, kneeling and shouting, "It's unfair." Following the about, Khelif faced a barrage of harassment on social media, with many accusing her of being transgender and claiming she was not a woman.

Imane Khelif is battling a rare disease.

Accused of being transgender, Imane Khelif was, in fact, born female. However, some public figures, including Donald Trump, J.K. Rowling, and Elon Musk, argued that she should not have been allowed to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

In response to the controversy, the Algerian press clarified that Khelif suffers from "hyperandrogenism, a condition that causes elevated testosterone levels." This condition had previously prevented her from competing in the Women's World Amateur Boxing Championships just a few months ago.

His father speaks out and comes to his defense.

Imane Khelif has yet to respond to the controversy surrounding her. However, her father finally broke his silence on Saturday, August 3, 2024. He presented evidence proving that the boxer is indeed female, including childhood photos from when she was seven and eight years old, as well as her family record book.

In a video statement, he asserted, "My child is a girl. She was raised as a girl. She is a strong girl. I raised her to be hardworking and courageous." Addressing the Italian boxer's decision to withdraw, he added, "My daughter was stronger, and the other was weaker." He emphasized that Imane Khelif has always been a dedicated athlete, excelling in all sports from a young age.

The IOC has decided to respond

In light of the growing controversy, the IOC felt compelled to respond by defending Imane Khelif. In a statement, they clarified:

"All athletes participating in the boxing tournament at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games meet the eligibility and registration requirements, as well as all applicable medical regulations set by the boxing unit for Paris 2024. As with previous Olympic boxing competitions, the gender and age of athletes are determined based on their passport." The message is clear!