Recently, social media has been abuzz over allegations questioning the gender of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif. This controversy sparked after her impressive victory against Italian boxer Angela Carini in just 46 seconds at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Khelif, who has faced criticism after being disqualified from the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) world championships in 2023 due to gender eligibility tests, continues to compete under the Olympic guidelines, which she has adhered to. She also previously participated in the Tokyo Olympics and snagged a silver medal at the IBA’s 2022 championships.
Born female and identifying as a woman, Khelif’s gender is backed by her father, who has publicly shared her birth certificate to dispel doubts. Notably, changing one’s gender is illegal in Algeria.
Despite the backlash she faces online, several Christian leaders have defended Khelif. Zach Lambert, a pastor from Texas, expressed frustration at how many acquaintances claimed to be experts in gender issues, humorously recognizing their diverse portfolio of “expertise.”
I had no idea that so many of my Facebook friends from high school are chromosome and gender experts, but I should have known because they are also inflation experts, infectious disease experts, foreign policy experts, and French performance art experts.
— Zach W. Lambert (@ZachWLambert) August 2, 2024
Florida pastor Trey Ferguson also criticized the wave of bigotry directed at Khelif, pointing out the absurdity of some arguments being made. Meanwhile, former NFL player Robert Griffin III emphasized Khelif’s biological status as a woman and called for protective measures for female athletes.
Imane Khelif is a biological woman and if you want to protect our daughters, you should protect her. If you don’t do the research to find the truth, then we should be protected from you.pic.twitter.com/c0eB2NtpzP
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) August 2, 2024
Rev. Daniel Brereton supported Khelif by referring to the discriminatory scrutiny some people place on athletes. Carini expressed her regrets regarding the aftermath of their match, stating she never intended any hostility towards Khelif.
Khelif Faces Backlash
While evidence supports Khelif’s identification as a woman, she has still been slammed on social media. J.K. Rowling, known for her controversial views on gender, weighed in, suggesting that the objections stemmed from witnessing a male boxer against a female.
Charlie Kirk, a conservative figure, claimed Khelif’s participation represented a troubling trend in sports, while Ohio Senator JD Vance echoed similar sentiments, criticizing gender ideologies connected to this controversy.
Even Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni remarked that the fight did not constitute an equal competition, advocating for measures to maintain fairness in women’s sports.
What Have Officials Said?
The IBA clarified that Khelif and another athlete had undergone separate tests that they did not reveal publicly. They committed to maintaining competitive fairness in boxing events. In response, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reaffirmed the athletes’ rights to compete, expressing concern over the mistreatment they’ve faced.
Despite the back-and-forth, it remains clear that discussions about Khelif are tied deeply to broader conversations about gender, fairness in sports, and societal biases.