After winning a medal in the women’s 66kg category, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who has faced gender testing controversies, shared a powerful message for her critics.
Khelif is competing in the women’s division nearly a year after the IBA announced that a gender test indicated she has XY chromosomes.
Nonetheless, Khelif is adamant about remaining in the women’s competition, believing it is justified for one clear reason:
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Imane Khelif of Algeria is seen ahead of her match against Angela Carini of Italy. (REUTERS/Isabel Infantes)
“I am a woman.”
Khelif expressed this assertion following her victory over Hungarian boxer Anna Luca Hamori. With this win, Khelif has secured a spot in the semifinals, and since there are no semifinal matches in boxing, her place on the podium is guaranteed, at a minimum, a bronze medal.
IOC President Thomas Bach publicly supported Khelif and her Taiwanese competitor Lin Yu-ting, both of whom were disqualified during last year’s world championships by the IBA after reports of failed eligibility tests.
Both athletes had participated in IBA competitions for several years without issues, and the organization, previously overseen by Russia, has faced extensive scrutiny for its transparency regarding these tests, especially in recent times.
Algeria’s Imane Khelif is shown prior to her match against Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori at the Paris Olympic Games on Aug. 3, 2024.(MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Getty Images)
SIMONE BILES REVEALS 1 QUESTION THAT’S ‘REALLY GOTTA STOP’ BEING ASKED TO OLYMPIC ATHLETES
“Let’s be very clear here: We are talking about women’s boxing,” Bach emphasized. “We have two boxers who were born as women, raised as women, hold passports as women, and have competed for many years as women. This clearly defines what a woman is, and there has never been any doubt regarding their gender.”
The IOC has labeled the IBA’s tests as “flawed.”
Khelif’s mother, Irene, expressed her pride for her daughter on Algerian television after the match, describing Khelif as “courageous” in the face of racist and sexist attacks aimed to undermine her.
The controversy escalated when a previous opponent, Italian Angela Carini, opted to forfeit her match against Khelif just 46 seconds after it began.
Algeria’s Imane Khelif celebrates after defeating Hungary’s Anna Hamori Luca at the Paris Olympic Games on Aug. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/John Locher)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Khelif is scheduled to compete for a place in the gold-medal match on Tuesday at 4:34 p.m. ET against Thai boxer Janjaem Suwannapheng.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
