Donald Trump has taken aim at Vice President Kamala Harris amid heightened discussions regarding the eligibility of Algerian Olympic boxer Imane Khelif. After Khelif’s impressive win over Italy’s Angela Carini in just 46 seconds in Paris, Trump and several other Republicans labeled her a “man.”
Khelif, who has been assigned female at birth and identifies as such, along with Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, was allowed to compete in the 2024 Olympics despite being disqualified from the International Boxing Association [IBA]’s world championships in 2023 due to gender eligibility test issues. It’s noteworthy that the IBA has been suspended from Olympic events since 2019.
While the IOC does not perform chromosome or testosterone tests, they criticized the treatment of Khelif and Lin, stating that the backlash against these athletes stems from the IBA’s “arbitrary decision.” Trump’s campaign has also linked Khelif’s participation to the broader debate over trans women in sports, vowing that a future Trump administration would work to protect women’s sports from what they deem as unfair practices.
In the past, Title IX has played a vital role in promoting gender equality in educational institutions. However, under President Biden’s administration, changes have been made to the law to encompass discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity, changes that have faced challenges in 26 states.
In response to Khelif’s recent victory, IOC spokesman Mark Adams emphasized that the inclusion of both athletes adheres to the established eligibility rules and insists that this situation isn’t about transgender issues, but rather real individuals’ rights to compete.
Carini Fundraiser
Following her loss, Angela Carini’s plight sparked a fundraising effort by Colorado Congresswoman Lauren Boebert to raise $196,000 for the Italian gold medal winners. The campaign has already garnered over $65,000. Boebert expressed that the public is tired of trans athletes competing in women’s sports and criticized Harris for her stance on the matter.
Carini, who withdrew from her fight against Khelif citing injury, later expressed regret over the controversy. She apologized for not shaking Khelif’s hand and acknowledged the legitimacy of the IOC’s decision regarding her eligibility to compete.
The IBA confirmed that Khelif and Lin did not undergo testosterone exams when disqualified, yet were subject to other undisclosed tests. IBA’s president stated that both athletes were disqualified when it was allegedly proven that they possess XY chromosomes.
In their statement, the IOC reiterated that everyone has the right to compete in sports without discrimination, asserting that Khelif and Lin’s mistreatment stemmed from the IBA’s sudden and unjust decisions.