Imane Khelif has finally spoken about the gender controversy after winning gold in the 2024 Paris Olympics. She revealed that her Italian opposition knew about her strength but still cried.
Algerian boxer, Imane Khelif encrusted her name in history by winning a gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The athlete had to undergo a lot of scrutiny and online mockery after Italian boxer, Angela Carini quit the game in just a few seconds after getting hit by Imane. This started the gender row, and people started accusing Imane of not being a woman but a transgender or man. However, after rafting through all the mockery, Imane finally shared her side of the story.
Imane Khelif is a 24-years-old Algerian female boxer who plays in the 66kgs category. Imane won the finale against Yang Liu from China with an impressive 5:0 score. Talking about the mockery sorrounding her gender, Imane clarified:
"We are in the Olympics to perform as athletes, and I hope that we will not see any similar attacks in future Olympics. I'm fully qualified to participate in this competition. I'm a woman like any other woman. I was born as a woman, I live as a woman, and I am qualified."
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Imane made it clear that she is a woman and is eligible to play in the 66kg female category. For the unversed, Imane is biologically a female but has certain hormone levels that are hiked, which makes her stronger than an average female. Talking about the gender controversy, Image further added:
"I am a woman like any woman. I was born a woman, and I have lived as a woman, but there are enemies to success, and they can't digest my success."
Soon after her glorious win at the 2024 Paris Olympics, she gave an interview to AP, where she thanked all the people of Algeria who were in Paris to support her. She further credited her team members and coach for their constant support. In Imane's words:
"For eight years, this has been my dream, and I'm now the Olympic champion and gold medalist. I want to thank all the Algerian people here in Paris, around the world and in Algeria. All the people from Algeria and all the people at my base. I want to thank all the team, my coach. Thank you so much. Algeria is very happy today."
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Imane then had a conversation with BBC, wherein Imane added that she is very happy after her win and feels like all her hardwork has finally been worthwhile. Imane further added:
"It was my dream to win this medal, and I am very happy today that I'm an Olympic gold medallist. Eight years of hard work, eight years of [being] too tired, eight years of no sleep, this is fantastic."
In a conversation with The Guardian, Imane revealed that the Italian boxer Angela Carini knew her for a very long time and was well aware of her strength and medical background. She has been to Italy for her training, and the entire team, along with the coaches, knew her as well.
Imane even shared that she has had training sessions with Angela previously, and this was not the first time the duo collided in the boxing ring. Imane alleged that Angela and the Italian team used her medical background against her. However, she determined to reach her goal and ignored all such issues.
Let us know your views on Imane Khelif's revelations.
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