Iman Khelif is an Algerian professional boxer. She recently won the gold medal in a welterweight event at the 2024 Olympics.
Since Khleif entered the ring her body became the focus of politicians, billionaires and news outlets globally.
Later on, after the match Khelif was labeled as a transgender woman. This wasn’t true Iman Khelif was born a woman and is known to be a woman her whole life. Khelif’s first opponent quit after 46 seconds and began to cry after Khelif hit her. In Algeria Khelif’s boxing life did not fit the gender roles they had.
There was much anti-transgender hatred directed towards her, being misgendered made her furious and angry with the world around her.
Donald Trump, Giorgia Meloni an Italian Prime Minister and Billionaire Elon Musk all made comments attacking and suspecting her gender, using these moments to give out transphobic ideas.
Iman was really hurt after hearing all the hate she had been getting, “Immediately after there was a lot of noise from politicians, athletes, stars, artists – Elon Musk and Donald Trump and that hurt me a lot, I cannot describe how scared” Khelif said (Hindustan times).
Iman has called out for an end to bullying the athletes after she was targeted for being trans which is not true, “I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all the athletes, because this has massive affects” (Iman Khelif).
Khelif goes through pressure and pain as she is competing far away from her home in Algeria. This was the most important event of her career as an athlete.
I interviewed Miranda Valencia, a girl who loves boxing, “It’s not fair that she gets sexualized while people know she’s a girl or otherwise she would have passed the test. People should see her for her skills not for her looks or what she’s being accused of being.”
Khelif mentions that she contacts her family about twice a week, “I am in contact with my family two days a week. I hope they weren’t affected deeply. They are worried about me. God willing this crisis will culminate in a gold medal, and that would be the best response”.
Iman also sees massive support from the crowd as she enters the arena, many people waving Algerian flags as they shout her first name with pride and support. Khelif made it clear that all this chatter won’t keep her away from claiming Algeria’s first Olympic gold medal in women’s boxing.