Olympics Boxer Imane Khelif Speaks Out Against Bullying Amid Gender Row
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who has been caught up in a fierce gender row at the 2024 Olympics, has spoken about the negative impact the furore is having on both her and her family. “I am sending a message to all people in the world to uphold the Olympic values and the Olympic regulations and stop bullying all athletes because this bullying has big effects,” she said in an interview over the weekend. “It can destroy people and kill their thoughts, their spirit and their mind.
Bullying can cause division and because of all this I am asking them to stop bullying,” said the athlete, who competes in the 66 kg (145 pounds) welterweight category.
She made the comments in an Arabic-language interview with video partner platform SNTV, a joint venture between The Associated Press and the Endeavor-owned IMG group.
The Algerian boxer has found herself caught in the crosshairs of violent debate about gender eligibility after Italian boxer Angela Carini abandoned their qualifying match just 46 seconds into the first round, following a powerful blow to the face, citing fears for her life.
