PARIS – Stop bullying, says Algerian boxer [autotag]Imane Khelif[/autotag].
Khelif, who was drawn into the controversy over gender eligibility criteria at the Paris Olympics, spoke for the first time since the start of the Games. She and Lin Yu-Ting of Taiwan have been victims of social media abuse and inaccurate online speculation about their genders, although the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has said they both met all criteria and there is no doubt that they are women.
“I send a message to everyone in the world to defend the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from intimidating all athletes, because this has effects, enormous effects,” Khelif said in a statement. interview with SNTV, according to the Associated Press. “It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. This can divide people. And because of that, I ask you to refrain from bullying.”
Khelif and Yu-Ting have advanced to the semifinals at the Olympicsensuring they will win at least bronze medals.
“I don’t care about anyone’s opinion,” Khelif said in Arabic. “I came here for a medal and to compete for a medal. I will definitely be competing to improve (and) be better, and God willing, I will improve, like any other athlete.”
The Russian-backed International Boxing Association brought the issue to light last week. The IBA, which is not recognized by the IOC and has no role in Olympic boxing, stripped Lin (gold) and Khelif (bronze) of their 2023 World Championships medals after the organization claimed they failed gender eligibility tests. . The IOC and others have raised concerns about the veracity of these tests.
Thomas Bach, president of the IOC, said this week that there was never any doubt that Lin and Khelif are cisgender women and called “really on everyone to respect these women, to respect them as women, as human beings.” The IOC also said that the two boxers are victims of an arbitrary decision by the IBA.
“I know that the Olympic Committee gave me justice and I am happy with this solution because it shows the truth,” said Khelif, while also acknowledging the pressure surrounding the ordeal. “…I’m in touch with my family two days a week. I hope they weren’t deeply affected.
“They are worried about me. God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal, and that would be the best response.”
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This article was originally published on MMA Junkie: Algerian boxer Imane Khelif speaks at the Paris Olympics and calls for an end to ‘intimidation of all athletes’
