Olympian Imane Khelif urges people to “avoid bullying” across gender lines

IMANE KHELIF, who is one of the most talked about athletes at the Olympic Games in Paris 2024, has called for an end to bullying because of the dispute that he cannot participate in the competition.

The 25-year-old Algerian will face Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng in the welterweight semi-final tomorrow, August 6. Khelif's qualification to the final has guaranteed him at least a bronze medal for his country and he is now one win away from a gold medal fight. The second semi-final pits Taipei's Nien Chin Chen against China's Liu Yang.

However, the tournament has been overshadowed after it was revealed that Khelif – and Taiwan's featherweight Lin Yu-Ting – were disqualified from last year's World Championships after failing gender eligibility tests.

The International Olympic Committee recognizes Khelif as a female athlete but has faced criticism for allowing her to compete after failing to meet gender eligibility criteria for the 2023 World Championships.

Khelif – who was born a woman – defeated Angela Carini of Italy and Luca Anna Hamori of Hungary who took her place in the semi-finals at welterweight. But speaking in an interview with SNTV he asked why the backtracking on his participation is happening now.

“This is the question I ask myself. I don't care. The important thing is that I came here focusing on my goal, which is the Olympics. I'm in the semi-final. God willing, I will be able to withstand the challenge in the semi-finals. And God willing, I will be able to keep it under control and pass these two stages and the semi-final.”

He added: “I am sending a message to all the people of the world to respect the goals of the Olympics, according to the Olympic Charter, to avoid abusing all the athletes because this thing has consequences, big consequences.” It can destroy people. It can kill people's thoughts, spirit, and mind. And it can divide people. And for that, I ask them to refrain from abuse.”

Khelif revealed that he is in contact with his worried family two days a week. But despite any difficulty or criticism the fighters can talk in the ring.

“God willing, this problem will culminate in a gold medal and that would be the best answer,” he said.