Omar Khelif, the father of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, has spoken out to support his daughter amidst a gender eligibility controversy at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Imane, competing in the women’s 66kg boxing category, recently faced criticism after her match against Italian boxer Angela Carini ended with Carini retiring due to injury. This has led to a heated global debate over gender rules in sports.
Omar Khelif, speaking from their village near Tiaret, Algeria, defended Imane, calling her a “heroine” and expressing pride in her achievements. He showed documents and her birth certificate to confirm her gender, emphasizing that Imane has always identified as female and has been competing in women’s events for years, including at the Tokyo Olympics.
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The controversy has been amplified by social media and prominent figures, but there is no evidence to suggest Imane identifies as anything other than a woman.
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