Algerian media make their feelings clear on Imane Khelif gender test controversy and potential Olympic ban
Algerian media have weighed in on the fresh controversy surrounding Olympic gold medallist Imane Khelif after she was banned from competing in World Boxing events.
Khelif claimed the gold medal in the women's 66kg competition at the Paris Olympics - a year after she was banned from participating in the World Championships in New Delhi, India for failing a gender eligibility test.
That decision was made by the International Boxing Association (IBA), who also didn't allow Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan to compete.
But both fighters were allowed to fight at the Olympics because the Russian-led IBA were stripped of its status due to a string of issues and replaced by the Paris Boxing Unit (PBU).
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No gender test was required, only proof of a female passport. Khelif, who is biologically female, received backlash aplenty after a dominant run to Gold and she, along with her father and the IOC (International Olympic Committee) had to issue statements.
Now, the 26-year-old has been in the spotlight again. World Boxing, who are overseeing the sport at amateur level and have been given provisional status for the 2028 Olympics, have introduced mandatory testing in line with a new policy on ‘Sex, Age and Weight’".
In addition to a statement on the matter, the organisation addressed Khelif's status and revealed a letter which they sent to the Algerian Boxing Federation where they said she
cannot compete in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup or in any World Boxing event until she undergoes genetic screening" and proves she is a female.
Algerian media react to Imane Khelif developments
World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst later wrote to the Algerian Boxing Federation to apologise for naming Khelif and not protecting her privacy.
Recent developments have prompted many to express opinions on the situation and media in Algeria have not minced their words.
Aichour Ait Ali, writing for El Moudjahid, did not hold back and said World Boxing "opened a breach into which some have violently seized".
Despite the apology, the journalist said that "the damage has already been done" and in reference to the media outlet who shared an unverified leak of Khelif's 2023 test results, claimed they had "dug up a four-year-old case to once again reignite the controversy over her gender".
Khelif was preparing to compete at the Eindhoven Box Cup and after remaining largely silent, is poised to "return even more determined" according to Ali.
Meanwhile, Echorouk Online commented that Khelif received "widespread support after being subjected to an unprecedented campaign of abuse and defamation by international figures, newspapers and senior political officials".
Khelif, who filed a complaint with Paris prosecutors over her treatment, has claimed she will go into professional boxing and has offers to do so.
She had still expressed a desire to compete in the Olympics for a third time and collect another Gold medal.
Josh Lawless