Imane Khelif is an amateur boxer,
Paris:
Forty-six seconds after her match against Algeria’s Imane Khelif, Italian boxer Angela Carini left the fight. She left the ring in tears, but the result also caused an uproar on social media, with many authorities accusing her of allowing “a man”, referring to Imane, to compete in the women’s category.
British author and philanthropist JK Rowling called the sports establishment ‘misogynist’.
“Can any image better summarize our new men’s rights movement? The grin of a man who knows he is protected by a misogynistic sports organization who revels in the suffering of a woman he has just hit over the head and whose life ambition he has just shattered,” read the post shared by JK Rowling on X ( formerly Twitter).
Could an image better summarize our new men’s rights movement? The grin of a man who knows he is protected by a misogynistic sports organization who revels in the suffering of a woman he just hit over the head and whose life ambition he just shattered. #Paris2024pic.twitter.com/Q5SbKiksXQ
— JK Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 1, 2024
Former professional boxer Barry McGuigan also criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for its alleged insensitivity towards women. “Shockingly dangerous and completely unfair about women and girls. IOC hangs your head in shame,” McGuigan wrote.
Shockingly dangerous and completely unfair to women and girls. IOC makes your head ashamed???? https://t.co/j8KxNEXlCm
— Barry McGuigan (@ClonesCyclone) August 1, 2024
Elon Musk shared former American competitive swimmer Riley Gaines’ post claiming that “men don’t belong in women’s sports.” Musk responded to the post by writing: “Absolutely.”
Absolute https://t.co/twccUEOW9e
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 1, 2024
However, there were many who defended Imane, saying that she was born female and had not undergone any gender confirmation surgery.
“Stop spreading false information to stir up hatred. If you want to write fiction, do another book about wizards,” read a comment below Ms Rowling’s tweet.
Stop spreading false information to stir up hatred. If you want to write fiction, do another book about wizards
— Matt Zarb cousin (@mattzarb) August 1, 2024
Another social media user pointed out that Imane Khelif was a female fighter, who from a gender perspective was perfectly eligible to participate in the women’s sport. “She was born a woman, don’t downplay her achievements as a woman and call her a man. It is not right. This massive disinformation must stop,” the message said.
Imane Khelif is a female fighter and, from a gender perspective, qualifies perfectly to participate in women’s sports
She was born a woman, don’t downplay her achievements as a woman and call her a man. It’s not right. This massive disinformation must stop. https://t.co/FSQOpxMQJGpic.twitter.com/Ft4kEz4Mxr
– ????????? ????????? (@Fs_FTBL) August 1, 2024
“She is a biological female,” read another comment
She is a biological woman
— Dittie (@DittiePE) August 1, 2024
This social media user suggested people do their research before tweeting abuse.
The misinformation spreading about Imane Khelif is so unfair. She is not transgender. She’s not a man. Can you please do some research before tweeting abuse? It’s not difficult?! This is what they did to Caster Semenya.
— Lillz (@LillzTIL) August 1, 2024
Imane Khelif is an amateur boxer who won a silver medal at the International Boxing Association 2022 World Championships. Khelif is one of two boxers allowed to fight at the Olympics, despite being disqualified from the women’s world championships last year after reportedly failing gender suitability tests.
According to the Associated pressThe International Boxing Association disqualified Imane last year just before the Algerian’s gold medal match due to elevated testosterone levels. Khelif will take part in a quarter-final against Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori next Saturday.