“It Can Kill People’s Thoughts”: Imane Khelif Calls for a Stop to “Bullying” Amid Outrage Over Olympics Controversy

The world was in an uproar due to gender misconceptions after the International Olympic Committee allowed Algerian boxer Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Prominent personalities like Donald Trump and ‘Harry Potter’ author JK Rowling openly expressed their discontent with the decision. So, the 25-year-old Olympian has asked for people to stop “bullying”. 

Both Khelif and Yu-ting were initially banned from the World Championships last year by the International Boxing Association for failing unspecified gender tests. Ironically, IBA themselves are now banned from the Olympics because of their debacle with the judging system in the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. Regardless, reacting to the misconception spread about her gender, the Algerian boxer spoke about her tumultuous Olympic experience in an interview with SNTV! 

Imane Khelif is fighting beyond the ring too

Despite all the unsubstantiated claims about their gender, Khelif and Yu-ting have clinched their first Olympic medals this year as they prepare for the challenge ahead. But that doesn’t mean all the artificially drummed up controversy hasn’t affected her. She said, “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”. 

“It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying”, Khelif added. The Olympian boxer understands the pressure and pain of this ordeal as she competes in the biggest event of her career, far away from her home and loved ones. 

Worried about how this would affect her family members back home, Khelif said, “They are worried about me. God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal, and that would be the best response”. While she refused to talk about her gender test, claiming she doesn’t want to, the 25-year-old expressed gratitude towards the IOC and its president, Thomas Bach, for supporting her while the IBA continued to fuel the controversy. Despite all this, Khelif hasn’t given up. 

The Olympic gold dream is still alive!

It’s true this controversy has caused much sorrow for Imane Khelif, but she has also seen massive support. During her bouts, the crowd cheered while waving the Algerian flag, chanting her name. Imane Khelif will fight again in the women’s 66 KG on Tuesday in the semifinals, which will be held in the famous Roland Garros Stadium.

So, she made it clear the misconceptions about her gender and unsubstituted accusations won’t deter her from claiming her country’s first Olympic gold in the Paris Olympics. “I came here for a medal, and to compete for a medal. I will certainly be competing to improve [and] be better, and God willing, I will improve, like every other athlete,” she said after eating Anna Luca Hamori of Hungary. 

Adversities are part of an athlete’s life, but Imane Khelif has faced more than her fair share of problems in her quest to win gold this year. Despite that, per her statements, the Algerian boxer seems to have stayed focused on her goal. What do you think about her story?