MC and podcaster Nassima Djaffar Bey posted a photo with Khelif on Instagram, captioned "It was a pleasure to meet you". In the photo, Khelif stands out with long, flowing hair and bold makeup, a departure from her usual ringside appearance.
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Imane Khelif (left) poses with MC and podcaster Nassima Djaffar Bey. Instagram |
Imane Khelif (left) poses with MC and podcaster Nassima Djaffar Bey. Instagram
A week earlier, on the first anniversary of her Olympic gold medal win, Khelif shared on Instagram that she was going through a difficult, challenging period of silence and waiting.
"It was an unforgettable moment, with tears mixed with pride, the national flag flying high, and I held my head high with the strength of a boxer and the heart of a human being," the Algerian boxer wrote. "Today, I still believe that every fall is a stepping stone to a stronger comeback. I am Imane Khelif, the champion of yesterday, resilient today, and determined to return tomorrow."
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Khelif celebrates with fans at the arena after defeating Chinese boxer Yang Liu in the women's 66kg boxing final at the 2024 Paris Olympics on 9/8. AP |
Khelif celebrates with fans at the arena after defeating Chinese boxer Yang Liu in the women's 66kg boxing final at the 2024 Paris Olympics on 9/8. AP
Khelif experienced a turbulent 2024 Paris Olympics, facing criticism from fans and prominent figures like Donald Trump, Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling, and billionaire Elon Musk.
The controversy began when the Algerian boxer was excluded from the 2023 Women's World Championship final due to high testosterone levels exceeding the standard. The International Boxing Association (IBA) investigated, conducted DNA testing, and discovered Khelif has XY chromosomes. The IBA stated that she "had an advantage over other women."
The test results were reported to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) with a recommendation to exclude Khelif from the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, she was allowed to compete and even won the gold medal in the women's 66kg boxing category.
After the Olympics, World Boxing, the new world boxing federation backed by the IOC to replace the IBA, implemented stricter regulations, requiring all athletes over 18 to undergo PCR genetic testing to determine biological sex. Immediately after the regulations took effect, Khelif missed the Eindhoven Box Cup.
The controversy escalated when a leaked 2023 medical report in June revealed that the Algerian boxer "carries XY chromosomes"—typically associated with the male sex. This led to calls for the 26-year-old boxer to be stripped of her Olympic gold medal.
However, IOC President Kirsty Coventry confirmed there would be no retroactive action and announced the formation of a task force to protect women's sports. "There is a consensus that we need to protect the women's category," Coventry emphasized. "We understand that there will be differences depending on the sport, but the IOC must prioritize protecting this category."
During the 2024 Paris Olympics, Khelif's father also released her birth certificate, showing that his daughter was registered as female at birth. Khelif herself has stated that she will continue to compete, aiming for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and likely moving up a weight class.
Compiled by Hong Duy
