Imane Khelif (left) is causing many notable echoes at Paris 2024 |
Before competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics , Imane Khelif has reignited the controversy over her gender. The Algerian boxer is suspected of being a man. Although her papers state she is female, test results show that Imane Khelif has abnormally high levels of testosterone, and especially that she has XY chromosomes.
The President of the International Boxing Federation (IBA), Umar Kremlev, stated that the organizing committee of the 2024 Paris Olympics should consider Imane Khelif’s eligibility to compete as many similar cases have been discovered in boxing history.
“This is an advantage that can increase their testosterone production. This hormone can give athletes an advantage over their competitors,” added Umar Kremlev.
Imane Khelif herself was banned. She was stripped of her right to compete at the World Boxing Championships in New Delhi, India. She was later allowed to compete again and won a bronze medal, but the bronze medal was revoked after the tournament.
Imane Khelif makes opponent give up |
Despite the calls, Imane Khelif still fought this afternoon. And in the match against Angela Carini, she won after only 46 seconds of fighting. The referee raised Khelif’s hand, declaring her the winner while Carini motioned for the medical team to check her protective gear because she had taken a hard punch from Imane Khelif.
After the match, Imane Khelif went to hug her opponent, but Carini refused. The 25-year-old fell to her knees in the ring and cried.
Carini said of her decision to quit: “I have never been hit so hard in my life. It is up to the IOC to decide.”
Carini’s coach added: “I don’t know if her nose is broken. I had to talk to her. She felt pain in her nose and told me she didn’t want to fight anymore.”