Imane Khelif found herself in the middle of a heated debate during the Paris Olympics, with global figures like Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and J.K. Rowling speaking out against her.
Despite the controversy, she remains determined. Now, with her focus on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, she has a direct message for President Trump.
The controversy begins
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, 25, faced backlash after critics argued she should not compete in women’s boxing. The situation escalated when she was disqualified from the 2023 World Championships due to a disputed gender eligibility test.
Reports claimed that tests conducted by the International Boxing Association (IBA) found that Khelif had XY chromosomes. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) still allowed her to compete, which led to legal action from the IBA.
Paris Olympics clash
During the women’s 66kg quarterfinal match, Khelif delivered a strong punch that caused Italy’s Angela Carini to step out of the ring just 46 seconds into the fight. Carini later withdrew, saying the impact had caused severe pain.
This incident further fueled debates about whether Khelif should be competing in women’s boxing, with some questioning whether it was fair for Carini to face her.
Facing legal battles
Despite the controversy, Khelif went on to win gold in the welterweight division at the Paris Olympics. Now, the IOC faces legal action for allowing her to compete.
Donald Trump reignited the debate by signing an executive order titled Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports, referring to Khelif in a way that she strongly opposed.
Responding to Trump
In an interview with ITV, Khelif made it clear that she is not transgender and does not see herself as part of that debate.
She also stated that the experience had only made her stronger.
Lawsuit against Elon Musk
The criticism from public figures had a deep impact on her family, especially her mother. Khelif took legal action against Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling, accusing them of online harassment.
Although the pressure was difficult, she stayed focused, with support from her doctors during the Paris Olympics. Now, she looks ahead to defending her title in Los Angeles 2028.