Imane Khelif decried the questions over her gender and the hateful remarks she has faced because of them and called for an end to “bullying all athletes” in her first extensive comments on the issue.
Khelif, 25, and fellow boxer Lin Yu-ting have been at the center of controversy over unsubstantiated claims about their gender, which erupted on Thursday after Italian boxer Angela Carini threw in the towel 46 seconds into her bout against Khelif.
“I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects,” Khelif said in Arabic in an interview with SNTV, according to the Associated Press.
“It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them not to.
The issue that has put Khelif and Lin in the spotlight stems from the International Boxing Association banning the two from the 2023 World Championships over both boxers allegedly failing a gender eligibility test for the women’s competition.
The IBA has not given any specifics about what the tests had been and during the interview, Khelif declined to say if she was tested for anything other than doping.
Criticism has come from all walks of life including former president and current Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump and “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling.
Khelif has identified as a female since birth, is listed as a woman on her passport and has been competing in women’s boxing since she started in the sport.
The Algerian boxer, who has already secured a medal in Paris, said she has been talking with her family throughout the Olympic experience and through the drama that has engulfed it.
“I am in contact with my family two days a week. I hope that they weren’t affected deeply,” she said. “They are worried about me. God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal, and that would be the best response.”
Khelif will fight against Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng and a win in that match would put her in Friday’s gold medal
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