The case of Algerian champion Iman Khalif is receiving wide media and public attention worldwide, as the 25-year-old boxer continues her successful journey in the 66 kg weight category, in the Olympic Games Summer “Paris 2024”.
Khalifa’s participation in the Olympics came despite the International Boxing Federation, which banned Algerian boxing from participating in the World Championship in India last year.
The International Federation explained its decision at the time by disqualifying Iman Khalif from participating in the tournament, and the same for Taiwanese boxer, Yu Ting Lin, amid allegations that the two boxers did not meet the necessary gender criteria.
But the International Olympic Committee appears to be adamant that Algerian champion Imane Khelif and Ting Lin are fit to compete in women’s boxing, and IOC president Thomas Bach came out publicly on Saturday to criticise promoters for what he called “hatred” towards the two boxers.
“The harassment that Eman Khalif has been subjected to is unacceptable and must stop. We will do everything we can to protect (Khalif) and guarantee her rights. Eman is a woman, there is no doubt about that. She follows the rules perfectly, and we are by her side,” Bach said in press statements.
And the wave of “hate” that she experienced began Iman KhalifaBefore her match against Italian Angela Carini, in the round of 16, this wave was fueled after the Italian withdrew “in tears”, claiming that she could not fight against Khalifa.
The situation reached its peak when foreign government officials and wealthy international figures criticized Eman Khalif’s participation in the Olympics, claiming that she had high levels of the male hormone “testosterone.” Some of the critics and promoters of false claims went further, saying that Khalif was a “transgender.”
Algerian champion Iman Khalif.. the latest episode in the conflict between Bach and Kremlev
Although the Algerian champion, Iman Khalif, succeeded in focusing on the competitions only, as she reached the semi-finals to secure a bronze medal at the very least, she was eliminated. Thomas Bach To confirm his support for the daughter of Algeria. The statements of the President of the Olympic Committee may represent a new chapter in the conflict between his institution and the International Boxing Federation.
The International Olympic Committee does not like the policies of the International Boxing Federation, and the federation was previously suspended, threatening the existence of the “noble art” game in Paris 2024.
Among the most prominent points of disagreement between the International Federation and the Olympic Committee is the friendship between the Federation President, Umar Kremlin, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The International Olympic Committee refuses to allow Russian athletes to participate in the Games under the Russian flag, in protest against Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Therefore, it can be said that the case of Iman Khalif represents the latest episode of the conflict between the International Olympic Committee and the International Boxing Federation, noting that the latter decided – surprisingly – to grant the Italian boxer Angela Carini (who lost to Khalif in the round of 16) the reward for winning the gold medal.
So far, there is no reason to give Carini the gold medal bonus, except that she lost to Algerian champion Imane Khelif, who has the support of the International Olympic Committee, but is facing a war from the International Federation of the game.
