Imane Khelif’s Dad Shows Off Her Birth Certificate On TV After Olympics Row Over Her Gender

By maks in Sports On 6th August 2024
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Imane Khelif's father made a public appearance on television, showcasing her birth certificate, amidst the ongoing controversy over gender qualification at the Olympics.

The issue first surfaced before the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. 

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Last year, during the Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi, the 25-year-old Algerian boxer was disqualified.

The International Boxing Association, which had been permanently banned from the Olympics the previous year, declared that both Khelif and Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan did not meet their gender eligibility criteria, which were not specified.

Khelif will compete in the women's semi final this evening. Mehmet Murat Onel/Anadolu via Getty Images

Nevertheless, both athletes have now been authorized to participate in the Paris Olympics.

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Misinformation began circulating on social media soon after Khelif competed against Angela Carini of Italy in the round of 16 on Thursday, August 1st.

Just 46 seconds into the match, Carini chose to withdraw. 

She explained her decision, stating through tears: "It hurt so much. I am heartbroken. 

"I went to the ring to honour my father. I was told a lot of times that I was a warrior, but I preferred to stop for my health. I have never felt a punch like this."

Following the match, Carini expressed her desire to apologize for her early exit.

Subsequently, on Saturday, August 3rd, Khelif claimed victory in her second women's 66kg bout, defeating Anna Luca Hamori of Hungary in the quarterfinals.

In response to the online backlash, her father, Omar Khelif, has staunchly defended his daughter’s right to compete in the women’s 66kg category.

Last week, he told Sky News: "My child is a girl. She was raised as a girl. She's a strong girl. 

Imane Khelif was born and raised as a girl, her dad says. (BFMTV)

"I raised her to be hard-working and brave. She has a strong will to work and to train. 

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"The Italian opponent she faced was unable to defeat my daughter because my daughter was stronger and she was softer."

In a further attempt to clarify the situation, during an interview with French TV station BFMTV, her father took the step of displaying her birth certificate to affirm her eligibility as a female competitor.

Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit released a joint statement, emphasizing:

"Every person has the right to practise sport without discrimination. 

The father showed the document on French TV. (BFMTV)

"Eligibility rules should not be changed during ongoing competition, and any rule change must follow appropriate processes and should be based on scientific evidence. 

"The IOC is committed to protecting the human rights of all athletes participating in the Olympic Games as per the Olympic Charter, the IOC Code of Ethics and the IOC Strategic Framework on Human Rights.

"The IOC is saddened by the abuse that the two athletes are currently receiving." 

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The most bizarre, discontinued Olympic sports

It might be fascinating to note some of the most unusual sports that have been part of the Olympic history

Painting

Originally, the Olympics also awarded medals in artistic disciplines like painting, sculpture, music, architecture, and even literature. 

Painting used to be an Olympic sport Catherine Falls Commercial/Getty Stock Image

Beginning with the 1912 Stockholm Olympics and lasting until the 1948 London Games, competitors were awarded a total of 151 medals for their sports-inspired artistic endeavors.

Tug of War

Surprisingly, this playground favorite was once an Olympic sport.

It was not only popular but also controversial, particularly during the 1908 London Olympics where accusations of cheating arose, with the American team pointing fingers at the British team's allegedly 'illegal' heavy footwear. 

All looking very Squid Game here Photo_Concepts/Getty Stock Images

The sport was featured in about five Olympic Games from 1900 to 1920, and there have been calls for its reintroduction.

Hot Air Balloon Racing

This sport debuted in the 1900 Olympics, with competitors being judged on distance traveled, altitude achieved, precision in landing, and even the quality of photographs taken from the balloon. 

Phileas Fogg could have been an Olympian Sam Revel/Getty Stock Images

It was discontinued following a general ban on motorized sports.

Live Pigeon Shooting

Introduced during the 1900 Olympics, competitors shot at live pigeons released in front of them. 

Pigeons are now safer at the Olympics petesphotography/Getty Stock Images

This grim event was held only once, and it is estimated that around 300 pigeons were killed by Olympic participants.

Pistol Duelling

Starting in 1906, this event initially had competitors shoot at dummies.

By 1908, the event evolved to include competitors shooting at each other with wax bullets. 

Pistols at dawn, chaps (heywoody/Getty Stock Images)

This was the last time pistol duelling was included in the Olympic roster, likely due to the apparent risks involved, even with non-lethal ammunition.