Iman Khelif Wins 2024 Olympic Gold Medal, Denies Transgender Rumors (Video)

An Algerian boxer has denied rumours that she is transgender, saying she has always been a woman.

Iman Khelif said this after receiving a gold medal at the Olympics in Paris. According to the boxer, all the rumors about her gender change from male were spread by envious people and haters, quotes Sky Sports:

“As for whether I will pass the test or not, whether I am a woman or not – I have made many statements in the media. I am fully qualified to participate in this tournament. I am a woman, like any other woman. I was born a woman, lived as a woman, competed as a woman. There is no doubt about it.

There are enemies, enemies of luck. That's what I call them. These are the enemies of success. And that also gives my success a special flavor because of these attacks. First of all, the Olympics are a dream, it is the dream of every athlete. Here in Paris, thank God, the whole world, the Arab world, the Algerians, they all know how much I worked.

I think the whole world knows the story of Iman Khelif now. I come from a very small village, from a very small family. I was born and raised in poor neighborhoods. But my family has always been proud of me, they have always supported me in this sport.

I want to send a message to the world that they should respect the Olympic principles and avoid bullying. They should not bully people. That is the message of the Olympics. The Olympic values ​​are very important and I hope that people will stop bullying. I hope that we will not see such attacks in the upcoming Olympics. The attacks that I experienced on social media were extremely horrific, they were senseless and they limited the dignity of people.”

Criticism and multiple attacks towards Iman Khelif began after the 1/8 finals fight at the Olympics against Italian Angela Carini. The fight lasted Only 46 seconds: the Algerian woman dealt her opponent several heavy blows and broke her nose. As a result, the Italian refused to continue the fight, calling it “unfair”.

In 2023, Khalif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yuting were banned from the World Boxing Championships after failing a gender test that found significantly higher levels of testosterone. However, the IOC ignored this and allowed the athletes to compete in the Olympics, citing unclear biochemical testing standards.

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