"Off the Rope and Ready to Fight"
Boxing gold medalist confronts Trump's allegations vigorously
Imane Khelif, the Olympic boxing champion, is giving it back to Donald Trump who's causing a ruckus about her, fueling a contentious debate during the Games. Trump's even issued a decree about transgender athletes, but Khelif ain't sweating it—she's aiming to defend her title at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
Born and raised female, Khelif is adamant she's neither transgender nor affected by Trump's transgender policy. "I was born a girl, lived my life as a girl, and it doesn't affect me or scare me," she told ITV, trying to put an end to the heated, often disrespectful, gender debates burning from the Paris Olympics.
This decree, signed by Trump early February, aims to keep transgender athletes out of women's sports. However, Khelif reiterates, she's just a girl who's won gold in women's boxing, period.
Trump had even used this gender debate for his election run, promising the American people he'd "keep men out of women's sports." At the Paris Olympics, he claimed transgender athletes were fighting women in the boxing ring. Khelif's inclusion in that accusation is unfounded, as she's been defending her title, not a man's.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified Khelif from the 2023 World Championships following dubious gender tests. The confusing nature of the test led to her exclusion and sparked a media uproar. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) supported her right to compete in women's Olympic boxing, stating any competitive advantages observed were arbitrary.
Khelif is a force to be reckoned with. The controversy surrounding her has only made her stronger. "I've learned so much from this campaign against me, and Paris Olympics was an eye-opener," she stated. "I feel stronger than before."
Sources: ntv.de, tsi/dpa
- Boxing
- Donald Trump
- Olympic Games 2024 in Paris
- Donald Trump, despite his controversial stance on transgender athletes and his promising to "keep men out of women's sports," is facing opposition from Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif, who aims to defend her title at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, thereby challenging Trump's decree.
- In a factual context, the International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified Khelif from the 2023 World Championships on questionable grounds due to gender tests, while the International Olympic Committee (IOC) supported her right to compete in women's Olympic boxing, viewing any observed competitive advantages as arbitrary.
- Amidst the uproar caused by the Paris Olympics, Imane Khelif reflects on her strength and growth, reflecting that the controversy surrounding her has only made her stronger, rising as a formidable force in the world of boxing.
