Algerian boxer Imane Khlif stated that the "odious wave of scrutiny" she faced during the Paris 2024 Olympics due to misconceptions about her gender "impacts human dignity." Khlif called for an end to "bullying against athletes," as she has been significantly affected by international reactions against her. The 25-year-old champion shared her harrowing experience in the French capital during an interview with "SNTV," a video partner of the Associated Press, on Sunday evening. Imane, who was born in the town of Sougueur in northwestern Algeria, also expressed gratitude to the International Olympic Committee and its president Thomas Bach for their strong support after "the International Boxing Federation placed obstacles in her path to participate in the Olympic Games," following her exclusion from the gold medal bout at the Women's Federation Championship in March 2023.
Imane Khlif came close to securing Algeria's first Olympic medal in boxing since 2000, after defeating Hungary's Luca Na Harmoni in the quarterfinals of the middleweight category (66 kilograms) on Saturday. Khlif is scheduled to compete in the semifinals on Tuesday against Thailand's Jangam Suwanaphing, and if she wins, she will contend for the gold medal on Friday at Roland Garros. The victories achieved by Imane and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu Ting in the boxing rings have turned into major stories during the Paris Olympics, as both athletes became a topic of discussion in media and social media platforms worldwide, which were not devoid of bullying in many cases. Among those who joined the debate, claiming that Imane is a transgender woman, were former U.S. President and current presidential candidate Donald Trump, and J.K. Rowling, the author of the "Harry Potter" series.
