Olympics releases clear statement The Olympics responded to people online who were calling Algerian boxer Imane Khelif a man, even though she was born female. Some famous people like JK Rowling, Piers Morgan, Logan Paul, and Elon Musk made these claims after Khelif’s fight with Italian boxer Angela Carini, which ended in 46 seconds.
Carini quit the fight, saying she stopped for her health because she had never felt a punch like that before. There was controversy because Khelif wasn’t allowed to compete in the women’s world championships last year due to failing testosterone and gender tests. However, she is a cisgender woman, meaning she was born female. Carini wished Khelif well and said it wasn’t her place to judge.
JK Rowling posted a photo of Khelif and falsely claimed she was a man, saying Khelif was enjoying hurting a woman. She also wrote to the International Olympics Committee (IOC), accusing them of allowing a male to fight a female.
The IOC spokesperson, Mark Adams, said all competitors follow the rules and clarified that this isn’t a transgender issue. The Paris 2024 Olympics boxing unit and the IOC released a joint statement emphasizing that everyone has the right to play sports without discrimination. They confirmed that all athletes follow the eligibility rules, and the gender and age of athletes are based on their passports.
The statement addressed misleading reports about Khelif and another female athlete, both of whom have competed in many international events, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The IOC expressed sadness over the abuse these athletes were receiving and reiterated their commitment to protecting athletes’ human rights.
It’s important to note that it’s illegal to be transgender in Algeria, making the idea that the country would send a trans athlete to the Olympics not just incorrect but also absurd.