Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif Wins Gold
TimeJUL 31 2024
Olympics: Imane Khelif Files Complaint Over Gender Abuse
Above: Imane Khelif poses for a photo with her gold medal during the Women's 66kg Final medal ceremony in Paris at Roland Garros on Aug. 9, 2024. Image copyright: RvS.Media/Monika Majer/Contributor/Getty Images Sport via Getty Images
The Spin
Right narrative
Sadly for women's boxing, the IOC was complicit in allowing genetically male individuals to box against women — and unsurprisingly win all their bouts in unanimous decisions — despite 2024 being promoted as the first-ever gender-equal Olympics. Though Khelif is not trans, the Algerian has all the advantages of being a male in the ring.
Left narrative
Anti-trans activists were quick to attack cisgender female Olympic champion Imane Khelif, paying little attention to the fact that she had competed — and won just a single bout — at Tokyo 2020 without any commotion. Defining a woman is certainly a tricky thing, but it isn't hard to see that non-white athletes continue to suffer the most scrutiny and abuse.