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≡ KHELIF SPEAKS OUT ≡
The controversy surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, the women’s 66 kg gold medalist at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, never ends.
The 2022 Worlds silver medalist at 63 kg, she was declared “ineligible” by the International Boxing Association after winning four bouts and qualifying for the final at 66 kg at the 2023 Worlds. But she qualified for and won the Olympic gold at 66 kg, with the tournament managed by the International Olympic Committee.
On Monday (10th), the IBA, which was de-recognized by the IOC in 2023 as the governing body for Olympic boxing, said it has asked the Swiss Attorney General to investigate the IOC for allowing Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Yu-Ting Lin – the Paris women’s winner at 57 kg – because they posed a “safety risk to competition participants.”
Khelif, who has kept a mostly low profile since the Paris Games, has apparently filed suit against the French newspaper Le Correspondant, which published details in October of a medical report which stated she had male (XY) chromosomes and was a biological male.
Now, after the IBA’s newest publicity effort, Khelif is speaking out again.
On Tuesday, she posted a two-panel “Official Statement” on Instagram – in English – slamming the IBA. This is the full text of the statement:
“For eight years, I have fought for my dream-eight years of sacrifice, discipline, and perseverance to stand on the Olympic stage and represent my country with pride. I have earned my place, and I will continue to stand firm in the face of any challenge.
“For two years, I have taken the high road while my name and image have been used, unauthorized, to further personal and political agendas through the spreading and dissemenation [sic] of baseless lies and misinformation.
“But silence is no longer an option.
“The International Boxing Association (IBA), an organization that I am no longer associated with and which is no longer recognized by the International Olympic Committee, have again made baseless accusations that are false and offensive, using them to further their agenda. This is a matter that concerns not just me but the broader principles of fairness and due process in sport.
“I have seen adversity before. I lost in my first Olympic appearance. I lost in the amateur leagues. I have been knocked down more times than I can count. But I have never stayed down. I have fought through every setback, every false accusation, every attempt to erase me. And I have won. Each obstacle has only strengthened my resolve. I will continue to compete with honor and integrity.
“My team is carefully reviewing the situation and will take all necessary legal steps to ensure that my rights and the principles of fair competition are upheld. Those responsible for these actions must be held accountable, and we will pursue all available legal avenues to ensure that justice prevails.
“I am not going anywhere. I will fight in the ring, I will fight in courts, and I will fight in the public eye until the truth is undeniable.
“To my supporters, thank you for standing by me. I remain focused, determined, and ready to continue representing my country and my sport at the highest level.”
The IBA, of course, welcomes the publicity as it continues to fade from memory within the Olympic Movement, saying in a Wednesday statement:
“International Boxing Association (IBA) welcomes the statement of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif on social media about considering legal steps against the organization, as a court would force our organization to reveal two gender tests based on which the boxer was banned from participating in any IBA women’s events.”
Khelif addressed the question of the tests in an Italian radio interview last November, saying “I have never seen these exams they are talking about.”
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