The boxing ring at the Paris Olympics has become a hotbed of controversy as Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, faces intense scrutiny over her gender eligibility. The situation escalated following her swift victory against Italy’s Angela Carini, who quit the match just 46 seconds in, citing severe pain from a punch delivered by Khelif. This incident has ignited widespread debate and brought attention to the intersection of gender, sports, and politics.
Imane Khelif, who has always competed as a woman, has had her gender questioned following allegations of failing an unspecified gender eligibility test at the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships. The International Boxing Association (IBA) stated that Khelif and another boxer, Lin Yu-Ting of Taiwan, failed “a separate and recognized test,” but the specifics remain confidential. Both boxers were disqualified from the championships, yet Khelif was cleared to compete in the Paris Olympics by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which bases eligibility on passport gender.
Angela Carini’s abrupt decision to quit the fight against Khelif was a rare occurrence in Olympic boxing. Carini, visibly emotional, explained that she felt intense pain from Khelif’s punches and could not continue. She clarified that her decision was not a political statement but purely based on her physical condition at the time. The bout has since been surrounded by controversy, with various figures and politicians weighing in on the implications of Khelif’s participation.
The match has garnered significant reactions from around the world, particularly from politicians and public figures who have previously voiced concerns about transgender and intersex athletes in sports. J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk were among those who publicly criticized Khelif’s participation, framing it as an issue of fairness in women’s sports. On the other hand, figures like Ismaël Bennacer, an Algerian soccer player, defended Khelif, praising her talent and hard work.
The Algerian Olympic and Sports Committee and the Algerian government have strongly defended Khelif against what they describe as baseless attacks and unethical targeting. In a statement, they condemned the scrutiny as “baseless propaganda” and “unethical targeting of our esteemed athlete.” Algeria’s minister of youth and sports, Abderrahmane Hammad, also voiced support for Khelif, denouncing the attacks on her character.
This controversy is further complicated by the longstanding dispute between the IOC and the IBA. The IOC stripped the IBA of its sanction due to governance and financial transparency issues, leading to the creation of the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit for these Olympics. The IBA, heavily backed by Russian state energy supplier Gazprom, has been at odds with the IOC, particularly after the IOC banned Russian fighters from competing under the Russian flag.