Paris Olympics on channels 26.7.–11.8. Go to the competition website here. You can find the entire program of the games here.
One of the big topics of discussion at the Paris Olympics has been the so-called “gender controversy”. Algerian Imane Khelif and Taiwan Lin Yu-ting are allowed to compete in the Olympics despite being disqualified from the International Boxing Association’s IBA World Championships last year.
According to the IBA, they did not meet the eligibility requirements for the women’s competition.
The International Olympic Committee, the IOC, which usually does not make statements, has made an exceptional move. Even the chairman Thomas Bach comment on it.
Of the two mentioned boxers, Algerian Khelif has been in the headlines in particular. The reason is at least that his first opponent in the 66-kilogram category is Italy Angela Carini gave up in 46 seconds.
The Reuters news agency met Khelif’s father in Algeria Amarinwho presented an “official looking document” which was his daughter’s birth certificate.
– This is the official document of our family, May 2, 1999, Imane Khelif, female. It is written here, you can read it, this document does not lie.
Both Khelif and Lin have advanced to the semi-finals in their divisions (66 kg and 57 kg). After the matches, the boxers have marched through the interview area without saying anything. However, special moments have been seen in the arena, huge crowds of reporters and revelations from the background crowd and from the opponents of the boxers who were at the center of the commotion.
Asks to stop bullying
Now Imane Khelif has spoken about the subject in an interview with AP’s video partner SNTV.
Khelif says the hateful scapegoating caused by misunderstandings about her gender hurts human dignity. Khelif demanded an end to the bullying of athletes.
– I am sending a message to all the people of the world that they should defend the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, refrain from bullying all athletes, because it has consequences, massive consequences. It can destroy people, it can kill thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And that’s why I ask you to refrain from bullying, Khelif said According to AP.
Both boxers have secured their first Olympic medals. They have had to face hostile online bullying, which is based in many places on unfounded claims about their gender. At the same time, the two have become part of a wider disagreement about gender identities and the rules of sports.
The 25-year-old Khelif said that this huge, sometimes hostile, avalanche of news has caused pressure and pain as he competes in the most important tournament of his career.
– I keep in touch with my family two days a week. I hope this has not affected them deeply. They are worried about me. God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal, and that would be the best response.
Thanks to KOK
Khelif thanked the IOC for standing behind him despite the International Boxing Association (IBA) acting otherwise.
– I know that the Olympic Committee has done me justice, and I’m happy because it shows the truth.
The background of the controversy is also the long-standing dispute between the IOC and the IBA. The IBA, mired in corruption, doping and referee scandals as well as administrative ambiguities, is not allowed to organize the Olympic boxing in Paris, just as it was not allowed in Tokyo either. The IOC organization organizes the boxing itself.
The IBA has also received a lot of criticism for not excluding Russia from the competitions. The union is headed by a Russian Umar Kremlinov.
Boxing may lose its Olympic status if a new international federation is not found. Finland has also left the IBA and joined the new World Boxing association.
The Olympic organizers have said that the “arbitrary test given to Khelif at the World Championships was so flawed that it is impossible to trust”. The IOC has condemned the IBA’s murky testing standards and opaque governance.
Both Khelif and Lin had been competing in IBA competitions for years without problems before the last World Championships.
Emotional storm
Khelif said that he has tried to stay aloof from the conversation surrounding him and its follow-up.
– To be honest, I don’t follow social media. We have a mental health team here that won’t let us monitor social media, especially during the Olympics. I am here to compete and to get a good result.
When Khelif defeated his Hungarian opponent in the quarterfinals, the storm of emotions was huge. She fanned furiously and smiled at her fans until the smile turned to tears.
– I couldn’t control my emotions. Because after the media frenzy and the victory, there was a mixture of joy and at the same time I was very impressed because to be honest, this has not been easy to go through. It has offended human dignity.
– Yes, this matter concerns the human dignity and honor of every woman. The Arab people have known me for years and seen me box in the IBA, who insulted me and treated me unfairly, but I have God on my side.
Khelif will face a Thai in the semi-finals on Tuesday Janjaem Suwannaphengi.