The Paris Olympics has sparked outrage after Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, reported to be a ‘biological male,’ defeated Italian fighter Angela Carini in a women’s bout that lasted barely 46 seconds. Reduced to tears as she withdrew from the match, the Italian boxer said she had “never been hit so hard in my life.” The bout kicked up a storm on social media about the fairness of the contest.
In an electrifying moment at the North Paris Arena, Khelif’s initial punch removed Carini’s chinstrap, followed by a second that smacked her chin and left blood on her shorts. After taking a torrent of punches, Carini retreated to her corner, raised her hand, and sank to her knees in tears, refusing to accept Khelif’s hand after the Algerian was declared the winner.
This easy victory has triggered a heated debate on social media, with renowned figures such as Elon Musk and JK Rowling backing Carini after her loss. Rowling went as far as to question why it was fine that a “man beat a woman” in public” for entertainment. Elon Musk endorsed a post by sports host Riley Gaines, who stated, “Men don’t belong in women’s sports IStandWithAngelaCarini Let’s get it trending”. Musk replied “Absolutely”. Italy’s PM Georgian Meloni also weighed in, stating it “was not an even contest”.
Speculation and claims about Khelif’s gender, combined with recent prohibitions on her international competition participation, have sparked substantial worry about her involvement in the Paris Olympics. Notably, a report suggests that Khelif has a disorder of sex development (DSD), which means that despite being born female, she may have XY chromosomes and high testosterone levels.
What is DSD (Disorder of Sex Development)?
Disorder of Sex Development (DSD) is a disorder in which a person’s sexual or reproductive anatomy does not correspond to traditional notions of male or female. This can include uncommon chromosome combinations, hormone levels, or physical characteristics. For example, someone with DSD may have XY chromosomes but exhibit morphological characteristics often associated with females. DSD is frequently diagnosed via genetic tests and hormonal studies. Treatment varies by type of DSD and may include hormone therapy or surgery. Essentially, DSD refers to a group of disorders in which the body’s development does not correspond to typical male or female traits.
Khelif was Disqualified from IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships New Delhi 2023
Lin Yu-ting and Imane Khelif were barred from competing in the Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi on March 24, 2023 due to “elevated levels of testosterone”, leading to a failure to meet IBA eligibility rules. Back then, a gender eligibility test reportedly found that she had XY chromosomes, which are dominant in males. Most women have a predominance of XX-sex chromosomes. Then, the International Boxing Association president Umar Kremlev alleged that Khelif attempted to mislead her colleagues by pretending to be a woman.
However, the IOC criticised the IBA for dismissing Khelif and Yu-ting in 2023, calling it an “arbitrary” decision. In a statement, the IOC said, “These two athletes were subjected to an abrupt and arbitrary judgement by the IBA. They were surprisingly disqualified from the 2023 IBA World Championships without due process.
Last year, the IOC revoked the IBA’s recognition over governance and financial concerns. As a result, the IOC directly oversees the boxing events in Paris and has enabled Khelif and Yu-ting to compete.
IOC’s Take on the Outrage
Now, a rush of social media comments has prompted the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to declare its support for Imane Khelif. The IOC clarified that “athletes in the boxing event at the Paris 2024 Olympics meet all eligibility and entry criteria, as well as the medical standards established by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU).” As in previous Olympic boxing tournaments, the athletes’ gender and age are verified using their passports.”
