Boxer Imane Khelif Opened Up About Gender Identity Growing Up in Algeria

Boxer Imane Khelif Opened Up About Gender Identity Growing Up in Algeria
By Nathan Dougherty
Updated Aug 1, 2024 at 10:45pm

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif’s trip to the Paris Olympics has been marred by controversy after she was falsely accused of being transgender and Italian opponent Angela Carini abandoned their fight after just 46 seconds.

Khelif’s win sparked controversy and accusations that she is transgender, though the Algerian boxer’s own background and family upbringing appear to confirm that she was born as a girl. Khelif has even opened up about the difficulties of breaking into a sport traditionally seen as one for boys.

The controversy was sparked in part due to a 2023 decision from the International Boxing Association (IBA) barring Khelif from the world championships after it claimed she failed an unspecified gender eligibility test.

As Greg Beacham of The Associated Press reported, the IBA has since been mired in controversy and been stripped of its governing power in the sport.

“The IOC is in charge of boxing in Paris because it has revoked the Olympic status of the IBA following years of governance problems, a lack of financial transparency and many perceived instances of corruption in judging and refereeing.”

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