Imane Khelif speaks out for the first time since opponent quit fight after 46 seconds in bombshell interview
Olympic boxer Imane Khelif wants people to ‘refrain from bullying all athletes’
Imane Khelif has made an earnest appeal during her initial interview after the Olympic gender controversy, acknowledging that the impact of people’s words can be profoundly significant.
The 25-year-old Algerian athlete was excluded from the Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi last year following accusations from the International Boxing Association that she failed to satisfy their unspecified eligibility criteria.
She is one of the two athletes, along with Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan, who has been given clearance to participate in the women’s boxing event at the Paris Olympic Games.
The International Boxing Association faced a permanent ban from the Olympics last year.
Khelif, born and raised as a girl, competed against Italy’s Angela Carini in the Olympics round of 16 match on Thursday, 1 August. Carini chose to forfeit the match after just 46 seconds.
Italy’s Angela Carini has apologised for her behaviour on the night. (MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Getty Images)
Carini communicated to her coach that she was unable to proceed due to pain in her nose.
On Saturday, August 3rd, Khelif secured her second victory in the women’s 66kg category by defeating Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori in the quarter-finals, with the decision being unanimous.
During her initial interview following the controversy, the Olympic boxer expressed her desire for individuals to avoid bullying athletes in light of the online backlash.
During an interview with SNTV on Sunday (4 August), she expressed in Arabic: “I am conveying a message to all individuals across the globe to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, and to avoid mistreating any athletes, as this can have significant repercussions.”
Bullying has the power to harm individuals, extinguish their ideas, morale, and intellect. It has the ability to create rifts among people. Therefore, I urge individuals to abstain from engaging in such behavior.
“I am in contact with my family two days a week. I hope that they weren’t affected deeply.
They express concern for my well-being. With divine assistance, I hope this challenging situation will result in a gold medal, which would serve as the most favorable outcome.
Imane Khelif has been at the centre of a gender row. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
The athlete expressed her gratitude towards the International Olympic Committee for granting her the opportunity to compete, a gesture that was not reciprocated by the International Boxing Association.
“I know that the Olympic Committee has done me justice, and I am happy with this remedy because it shows the truth,” she added.
“I don’t care about anyone’s opinion,” Khelif said.
“I came here for a medal, and to compete for a medal. I will certainly be competing to improve (and) be better, and God willing,
“I will improve, like every other athlete.”
Following the controversy, Italian boxer Carini has expressed her desire to apologize for her actions.
She expressed her sadness to the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, stating that the controversy has deeply affected her.
“I’m sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.
“It wasn’t something I intended to do.”
Featured Image Credit: Richard Pelham/Getty Images/MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Getty Images
