Amid the ongoing Paris Olympics, Imane Khelif Father Defends Daughter Amid Gender Eligibility Criticism, shedding light on the challenges faced by athletes with Differences of Sexual Development (DSD).He emphasized that his daughter has brought honor to their family.
This controversy emerged after Italian boxer Angela Carini exited their match within 46 seconds due to a series of powerful blows from Imane Khelif at the 2024 Paris Olympics on August 1, 2024.
In 2023, Imane Khelif, 25, failed a gender eligibility test at the International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships. However, she was permitted to participate in the Paris Games by the International Olympic Committee.
In an interview at his modest home in Tiaret, northern Algeria, Amar Khelif expressed pride in his daughter and supported her quest for a medal for Algeria.
“Having such a daughter is an honor because she is a champion; she honored me, and I encourage her, and I hope she will get the medal in Paris,” he stated. “Imane Khelif has loved sports since she was six years old.”
Amar Khelif shared an official document showing her birthdate. “This is our family official document, May 2, 1999, Imane Khelif, female. It is written here; you can read it; this document doesn’t lie,” he asserted.
Imane Khelif was disqualified from the IBA World Championships last year due to eligibility rules preventing athletes with XY chromosomes from competing in women’s events. This happened just hours before her gold-medal bout in New Delhi.
Bouchra Rebihi, a 17-year-old aspiring professional boxer, also defended Khelif. “I know Imane Khelif as the champion of Algeria many times, the champion of Africa as well, and also the Arab champion,” she said. “These critics aim to destabilize her in the boxing ring, but she is a champion, and she will remain a champion.”.
