IMANE KHELIF has issued a defiant message to Donald Trump, insisting she will compete at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
The President of the United States wrongly claimed the 25-year-old, who was at the centre of a gender row along with Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting at the Paris Games last summer, was transgender.
Imane Khelif’s participation at the 2024 Olympics caused controversy as she allegedly failed a gender eligibility test 18 months earlier[/caption]
Her participation at the LA Games in 2028 was thrown into major doubt after Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender athletes in women’s sports[/caption]
Khelif has issued a defiant message to POTUS[/caption]
Khelif’s participation at LA 2028 was thrown into major doubt last month when Trump signed an executive order banning transgender women from competing in female events.
But the Algerian insists she won’t be intimidated by POTUS, telling ITV: “I am not transgender. This does not concern me and it does not intimidate me.
“Of course, I defend with everything I have this gold medal… I continue my dream, my everything.”
Khelif and Lin’s participation at Paris 2024 – where they won welterweight and featherweight gold respectively – sparked international outrage.
The duo took part at the Games 18 months after being banned from the Women’s World Championships for allegedly failing a gender eligibility test.
Tests administered by the discredited International Boxing Association are said to have determined that Khelif and Yu-Ting have male XY chromosomes.
The IOC, however, permitted the duo to compete – much to the fury of the IBA – who have taken legal action against the Olympics’ governing body.
Imane Khelif received a torrent of abuse following her 46-second victory over Angela Carini[/caption]
Lin Yu-Ting was also targeted by trolls and on the receiving end of erroneous claims[/caption]
Khelif, in particular, was subjected to a torrent of abuse and erroneous claims she was a man after stopping Angela Carini 46 seconds into their opening bout.
The ordeal has fortified the mental strength of the Algerian, who has taken legal action against several prominent figures – including Elon Musk and JK Rowling – for alleged “aggravated cyber-harassment”.
She said: “This experience has taught me a lot.
“I believe that if the old Imane operated at 50% of her potential, then the Imane Khalif of today is even more motivated and determined.
“I have learned so much from this campaign against me, and what happened at the Paris Olympics was an eye-opening experience.
“I feel even stronger now than I was before.”
Khelif believes she wouldn’t have been the victim of global abuse had she not started getting the better of her opponents.
She said: “As we say in Algeria, those who have nothing to hide should have no fear.
Imane Khelif insists the experience at Paris 2024 has made her stronger mentally[/caption]
“The truth became clear at the Paris Olympics.
“The injustice was exposed and, later, the truth was acknowledged by the [IOC] in Paris.
“I see myself as a girl, just like any other girl. I was born a girl, raised as a girl and have lived my entire life as one.
“I have competed in many tournaments, including the Tokyo Olympics and other major competitions, as well as four world championships.
“All of these took place before I started winning and earning titles.
“But once I began achieving success, the campaigns against me started.”
