Embedded Files
Sena Tamene -- October 8th
Emotional Imane Khelif is pictured above with an Olympic gold medal around her neck
One of the most inspiring stories of the Paris 2024 Olympics is that of Imane Khelif. Khelif is an Algerian boxer who recently won the gold medal in Women’s Boxing despite facing appalling online harassment.
This debate about Khelif’s gender began before the Paris 2024 Olympics. Imane Khelif was disqualified from the World Boxing Championships in 2023 after failing a gender eligibility test. This does not come as a surprise as it is suspected she may have a condition that causes increased levels of testosterone.
The controversy around Khelif’s gender intensified after she defeated Italian boxer Angela Carini in an Olympic match. After only 46 seconds into the match, Carini quit.
She claimed that she had “never been hit with such a powerful punch” (US News).
The media was infuriated by Khelif’s easy win against Carini. Although the IOC (International Olympic Committee) cleared Khelif to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics, people were tormenting Kehlif. They questioned why Kehlif had won so easily and assumed it was because she was not born a woman. As a result, all over the internet people taunted her and called her a man.
The online hate that Kehlif received became horrific, but after battling such vile harassment for the “entirety of the Summer Olympic Games, Imane Khelif…won her first Olympic gold medal” (Out Magazine).
Although I have no interest in boxing, Khelif’s road to the Women’s Boxing gold medal has left a profound impact on me. It has taught me that no matter what adversity I may face in my life, I should continue to fight for my dreams. Despite how severe Khelif's harassment got, Khelif never gave up on her dream to be a champion. Everyday, I aspire to be just as strong and as resilient as the great Imane Khelif.
Page updated
Report abuse