Imane Khelif’s father presented documents dated May 2, 1999, confirming the Algerian boxer’s female identity, according to reports.
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has secured a medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, but her achievements in the ring have not silenced the ongoing gender controversy. Khelif was disqualified from the World Championships last year by the International Boxing Association (IBA) after being labeled a ‘biological male’ due to the presence of an XY chromosome in her body. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has taken a different stance and allowed her and another boxer with an XY chromosome to compete in the Olympic Games in Paris.
Amid the controversy, Khelif’s father, Omar, has publicly defended his daughter, providing proof that she was born female. “My child is a girl. She was raised as a girl. She’s a strong girl. I raised her to be hard-working and brave. She has a strong will to work and to train,” Omar Khelif stated in an interview with Sky News.
🚨 Imane Khelif's father defends his daughter:
— Algérie Football Média 🇩🇿 (@DZFOOTBALLDZ) August 3, 2024
"My daughter is a woman, we have all the evidence, including her birth certificate.
My daughter was just stronger than the Italian boxer. She works very hard. ”
Terrible 💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/P5dY63rkIz
Regarding an Italian opponent who chose to forfeit a match against Imane, Omar attributed the decision to his daughter’s superior strength and skill. “The Italian opponent she faced was unable to defeat my daughter because my daughter was stronger and she was softer,” he added.
Omar presented documents dated May 2, 1999, verifying Imane’s identity as female, according to Reuters. He expressed his desire for his daughter to win a gold medal at the Paris Games and criticized those attempting to undermine her. “I tell her to prove them wrong in the ring and I hope that she will honor Algeria and Arabic countries by winning the gold medal,” he asserted, calling her a “role model.”
After winning her quarter-final bout and securing at least a bronze medal, Khelif emotionally declared, “I am a female, and I will remain a female,” in a message to the world, shared through the official broadcaster.
