Algerian boxer Imane Khelif made headlines at the Paris Olympics with a stunning gold medal victory in the women’s 66kg division. In a breathtaking display of power, Khelif knocked out Italy’s Angela Carini in a mere 46 seconds — a punch Carini described as unlike anything she had ever experienced. But instead of universal praise, Khelif soon found herself at the center of a fierce controversy.
Critics, including prominent figures like Donald Trump and JD Vance, questioned Khelif’s eligibility to compete in women’s sports, accusing her of possessing an “unfair” strength and casting doubt on her biological sex. At just 26 years old, Khelif firmly rejected the rumors, declaring, “I am not transgender. I’m a woman like any other.”
She called the wave of backlash “bullying” that deeply hurt both her and her family. Yet, through the storm of criticism, Khelif insists that her gold medal win was the strongest response she could give. Looking ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, she hopes her story will foster greater understanding and empathy — and she urges an end to the damaging speculation that shadows athletes’ identities.
