Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, the athlete at the center of a gender debate that overshadowed the Paris 2024 Olympics, has responded to U.S. President Donald Trump, stating she will not be intimidated by his aggressive rhetoric. The 25-year-old won gold in Paris amid controversy, a year after allegedly failing a gender verification test conducted by the now-discredited International Boxing Association at the 2023 World Boxing Championships.
Khelif aims to win another gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This comes after she faced controversy at the Paris Olympics, where her victory, along with Lin Yu-Ting's, led to renewed discussions about gender eligibility in sports. Former President Trump falsely claimed Khelif was transgender, saying that transgender women were competing in women's boxing. The new U.S. administration has taken a strong stance against transgender rights, with Trump signing an executive order that bans transgender girls and women from participating in women’s sports.
In an interview with ITV News, Khelif responded to these claims, stating that she is not transgender and the U.S. President's decision on transgender policies does not affect her. Khelif emphasized her determination to win a second gold medal in Los Angeles. Khelif's Paris Olympics participation sparked controversy, drawing criticism from figures like Trump, Musk, and Rowling. Khelif cited a "major media campaign" that severely impacted her mental health and family, leading to her mother's hospitalization. She maintains her eligibility was eventually proven during the Games, with the Olympic Committee acknowledging the injustice she faced.
Khelif, who identifies and has always lived as a girl, competed in numerous major tournaments, including the Tokyo Olympics and four World Championships, before facing these attacks, which she believes stemmed from her increasing success. Despite these challenges, she is determined to defend her title at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.