Imane Khelif's father speaks out for the first time following Paris Olympics controversy
Imane Khelif’s father has spoken out in support of his daughter following her controversial victory against Angela Carini in the women’s boxing.
Carini withdrew 46 seconds into the bout against Khelif after deciding she could no longer continue after being hit with two punches which she described as the 'hardest' she'd ever felt.
The controversy stems from Khelif previously failing a gender eligibility test which meant she was disqualified from last year’s World Championships.
Despite a lot of misinformation online, Khelif was born female and has not transitioned.
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She was cleared to compete in the 2024 Games earlier this month as well as Taiwan competitor Lin Yu-ting as it was administered by a different body to the World Championships.
The 25-year-old will now face Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori in the second round after she defeated Australian star Marissa Williamson via split decision.
Ahead of the second round, Khelif's father, Omar Khelif, has finally spoken out in support of his daughter and called for the spreading of misinformation to stop.
Speaking to Sky News, he said: "My child is a girl, she was raised as a girl.
"She's a strong girl, I raised her to be hard-working and brave, she has a strong will to work and train."
"The Italian opponent she faced was unable to defeat my daughter because my daughter was stronger and she was softer," he added.
The second round bout will take place on Saturday 3 August, and the Hungarian has revealed she has no fear despite Khelif’s opening round controversy.
“I’m not scared. I don’t care about the press story and social media.”
Hamori also spoke about Carini’s decision to stop the fight, it was her choice," she explained.
“I don’t understand, because I thought every boxer’s mind is the same like mine, to never give up. But it was her choice. We don’t know what was the reason. It’s her life, but I know I want to do this in my own life.”
Tom Jenkins