The 2024 Paris Olympics kicked off in full swing, but not without controversies! The latest one is in the boxing category, as the International Olympic Committee has confirmed Imane Khelif of Algeria will be allowed to fight in Paris. However, why is this such a problem for people? And why did she need the IOC to allow her? The 25-year-old failed to pass the gender eligibility tests and was disqualified during the world championship last year. However, this time she is competing, but sports fans and even athletes have erupted in protest. Why? Let’s see.

Imane Khelif of Algeria and Lin Yu‑Ting of Taiwan were disqualified from the world championships in India in 2023. This is because they failed to pass the gender test. The tests proved that they had XY chromosomes and, according to the protocols; they were disqualified. However, the fighters have been cleared for the Paris Olympics, but many athletes like Riley Gaines and double Olympian and current world champion Claressa Shields are not happy about it.

Riley Gaines, who was the 2021 NCAA silver medallist in the 800 free relay, fired her thoughts against this on X. She wrote, “Imagine training your WHOLE life, getting good enough to earn a spot on the Olympic team, hoping to a win an Olympic medal…” Even Claressa Shields, who is one of the USA’s most successful boxers and won gold medals twice in the Olympics, was disappointed by this decision in the Paris Olympics.

She won gold medals in the women’s middleweight division at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. She wrote, “I wouldn’t have stood for no stuff like that! That is so heartbreaking to the women…” 

There is video footage of the Algerian fighting against Brianda Tamara in December 2022, where the latter is being brutally punched by Khelif. She seemed to be shaken and then the fight was stopped in the third round. This resurfaced video upset many athletes, and Gordon Ryan also lashed out and put up a story on Instagram, stating his disappointment.

He said “@olympics medals mean nothing now,” and added the video to his Instagram story. Meanwhile, let’s see who Imane Khelif is in more depth and what records she holds. 

More about Imane Khelif and her records

Imane Khelif was already gaining the limelight with a debut of 1-0. Before she was a pro, she received 36 wins and 9 losses and it shows her prowess. She even won a silver at the 2022 World Championships in Istanbul and made history as the first African woman to win a lightweight medal. However, she was not allowed to compete against Yang Liu.

The IBF (International Boxing Association) runs the world championships and has concrete rules to have a fair and square game. There is even a limit to testosterone levels in female athletes. Khelif had a higher testosterone level and was disqualified. The athlete and her fans thought this was unfair and accused officials of targeting her. Later on, the IBA was banned from organizing Olympic boxing fights.

Now at the Paris Olympics in 2024, Khelif is competing under IOC rules which have more flexible rules over gender eligibility. However, there has been an uproar about this current situation. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below.