Imane Khelif’s participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics has sparked outrage, including from former Olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner who labeled it as “shameful” in a fiery social media post.
The 25-year-old Algerian boxer has been at the center of controversy due to “her” involvement in the games despite a ban from last year’s world championships.
.@Caitlyn_Jenner: “Shame on the IOC for not protecting the integrity of women’s sports” (@iocmedia) pic.twitter.com/Y2SgydYXeF
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) August 2, 2024
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) overruled the International Boxing Association (IBA), permitting Khelif to compete this year. However, IBA had previously disqualified her after she and another athlete were found to have competitive advantages over other female competitors due to failing gender eligibility tests.
@kenny271957 listen and decide, so title 9 was had the right #olympics#patriots #trump2024 #fyp
The IOC, known for its differing regulations than IBA, allowed Khelif to participate. However, her first bout with Italian Angela Carini was shrouded in controversy. Carini left the match before even a minute had passed after receiving a punch from Khelif, later stating that it was “to preserve my life”.
The only candidate for the protection of women’s sports is @realDonaldTrump – Harris is anti-woman and erased women’s sports with the DESTRUCTION of Title IX! https://t.co/JlqkNARMaA
— Caitlyn Jenner (@Caitlyn_Jenner) August 3, 2024
Despite all these controversies, Khelif was declared victorious against Italy’s Carini which led to an outpouring of criticism and scrutiny on the IOC’s decision. Notable figures such as JK Rowling, Nicola Adams, Piers Morgan among others criticized Khelif’s participation owing to her elevated testosterone levels and prior failed gender eligibility test.
Jenner echoed Rowling’s disapproval on social media platform X saying: “This is shameful! SHAME ON THE IOC! No men in women’s sports!” She also shared an image of a tearful Carini addressing the media post-bout and took aim at Kamala Harris.
The former Olympian questioned Vice President Harris’ silence on pro-woman issues: “Where is the outrage from the pro-woman @VP Harris?? I’ve been fighting this and shouting it from the rooftops for 4 years now – well before we all watched the famous swimmer example. This is exactly why Harris / Biden erased women from title IX and the IOC allowed this. SHAME!”
Carini expressed her disappointment after the bout, sharing with BBC Sport: “I wasn’t able to finish the match. I felt a strong pain to my nose and I said [to myself] for the experience that I have and the maturity as a woman that I have, I said I hope my nation won’t take it badly, I hope my dad won’t take it badly – but I stopped, I said stop for myself.”
She continued: “It could have been the match of a lifetime, but I had to preserve my life as well in that moment. But this time there’s an end for everything, and I put an end to this match because I wasn’t able to [continue].”
Ignoring all controversies surrounding her participation in the games, Khelif told BBC: “I’m here for the gold. I fight everybody.”
We know you can beat up women. Are you afraid to fight a man?