Imane Khalif, 25, of Algeria, won the gold medal in the women’s 66-kilogram boxing division at the Paris Olympics, a dream medal amid gender controversy. Khalif defeated China’s Yang Liu by a 5-0 unanimous decision in the final at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, on Tuesday (Aug. 10).
At the official post-medal ceremony press conference, Khalif said, “I was born a woman and have lived as a woman. I am fully qualified to compete in the Olympics,” she emphasized. “The criticism has motivated me. Their attacks made me even more happy to win the gold medal,” she said.
Khalif, who was disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) for having an “XY chromosome” at last year’s world championships, is no stranger to gender controversy. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has confirmed that it will determine her gender based on her passport and that she will be able to compete.
“I want everyone to observe the Olympic spirit and not slander others,” Khalif said, adding, “I hope no one will be criticized like me in the future.” He noted that the outpouring of criticism on social media had undermined human dignity, adding, “I think people’s thoughts have changed now.”
Notably, international figures such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Harry Potter series author J.K. Rowling, and Tesla CEO Elon Musk have also condemned Khalif’s participation. “It’s not fair for a man to compete,” Meloni said 사설 토토사이트 ahead of Italian athlete Angela Carini’s match against Khalif at the tournament.
Nevertheless, the Roland Garros stadium was filled with cheers for the caliph. Thousands of Algerian fans filled the stands, chanting his name. “The support from the crowd and the fans was very encouraging,” Khalif said, adding that Algerian women are known for being strong and brave.
“Now the whole world knows Imane Khalif’s story,” he said, adding that he was born into a very poor family in a small village in Algeria, but that his family was always proud of him and supported him in boxing.
The press conference was followed by an unusual round of cheers and applause. Imane Khalif’s gold medal was more than just a victory. By overcoming her own gender controversy to become an Olympic gold medalist, she has set a new standard for future gender controversies.