Imane Khelif speaks out in first sit-down interview since Olympic opponent abandoned fight after 46 seconds

Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer at the centre of a gender row at this summer's Olympic Games, has called for the world to stop bullying her during a new sit-down interview.

The 25-year-old was moved to tears on Saturday after she secured a place in the semi-final stage of the women’s 66-kilogram division following a clean sweep victory over Hungary's Anna Luca Hamori.

After the bout, Khelif proceeded to show sportsmanship by sharing an embrace with Hamori, who received heavy backlash for a series of Instagram posts ahead of their bout.

The Algerian's involvement this summer has become one of the most talked about topics at the Games, with her 46-second win over Italy's Angela Carini igniting a huge amount of debate.

The controversy stems from Khelif and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan being banned from the Women's World Championships in New Delhi last year after the International Boxing Association (IBA) said both fighters failed gender eligibility tests.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC), who run the Olympic boxing events, said the disqualification was as a result of elevated levels of testosterone in her system.

They also confirmed that it allowed allowed Khelif to compete in women's boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics due to her meeting the criteria they set out.

Following her win over Hamori at the weekend, Khelif sat down with SNTV to break her silence on the gender row.

“I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects,” she said.

“It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying.”

Khelif added: “I am in contact with my family two days a week. I hope that they weren’t affected deeply. They are worried about me. God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal, and that would be the best response.”

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif called for an end to bullying athletes after she faced a wave of online abuse over misconceptions about her gender during the Paris Olympics. pic.twitter.com/Pl1sc5j181

— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) August 5, 2024

Khelif, who declined to answer when asked whether she had undergone tests other than doping tests, thanked the Olympic Committee for 'doing her justice', adding: "I am happy with this remedy because it shows the truth."

In fact, she expressed gratitude to the International Olympic Committee and its president, Thomas Bach, for standing resolutely behind her.

Bach defended Khelif and fellow boxer Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan, who were both disqualified by the IBA during last year's world championships after reported failed eligibility tests.

“Let’s be very clear here: We are talking about women’s boxing,” Bach said.

"We have two boxers who are born as a woman, who have been raised a woman, who have a passport as a woman, and who have competed for many years as women. And this is the clear definition of a woman. There was never any doubt about them being a woman.”

Khelif also touched on her in-ring reaction to securing a spot in the Olympic semi-final and guaranteeing at least a bronze medal.

“I couldn’t control my nerves. Because after the media frenzy and after the victory, there was a mix of joy and at the same time, I was greatly affected, because honestly, it wasn’t an easy thing to go through at all. It was something that harms human dignity.”

She added: “I don’t care about anyone’s opinion. 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.”