On August 1, Imane Khelif grabbed headlines across the world, not because she had defeated her opponent in 46 seconds in the women’s 66 kg boxing category at the 2024 Paris Olympics, but because she was wrongfully being called a biological male masquerading as a woman. You see, the International Boxing Association alleged that they ran a DNA test on her in 2023 and found that she has XY chromosome (the male chromosome), following which she was disqualified from the Women’s World Boxing Championship last year. These are claims, evidence of which have not been made public.
Imane Khelif was assigned female at birth, has lived her life as a woman, trained as a woman, and participated in women’s sports rightfully as a woman. But as news of Imane’s XY chromosome – that could be a case of a disorder of sexual differentiation – made headlines, she was globally harassed on social media, faced massive abuse, with millions of people rallying against her – including J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk.
However, Imane persisted and her grit proved to be stronger than people’s hate. On Friday, she appeared for the finals of the women’s 66 kg boxing category against China’s Yang Liu and defeated her fair and square. People, Imane Khelif is now an Olympic gold medalist!
Imane’s win is not just hers alone. It is the win of countless women who everyday face discrimination, unnecessary scrutiny and online hate for being successful and powerful.
The fact that people in Algeria, an Islamic country where women have far fewer rights and are not celebrated as often, broke into loud cheers as Imane was announced as the winner and celebrated on the streets, proves what a powerful moment this is in history.
Thousands of people in Algeria celebrating Imane Khelif’s Gold medal victory at the #Olympics.
— Pop Base (@PopBase) August 9, 2024
Innumerable people online were proud of Imane Khelif and showered her with immense love and support. Here’s what they said:
Imane Khelif wins her first Olympic gold medal in the women’s 66kg ?
She won the fight by unanimous decision, winning every round on every judge’s scorecard.
It is such a deserved win after all the unjustified vitriol and hate she’s had to endure ❤️ pic.twitter.com/OpcoYGoapc
— Women Posting W’s (@womenpostingws) August 9, 2024
After all the transphobia, witch-hunting, and the despicable and unsportsmanlike disrespect shown by a handful of athletes – let THIS image be the one that stays with you:
After Imane Khelif won her gold medal bout her opponent, Yang Liu of China, embraced her with a smile. pic.twitter.com/vYjkQaailZ
— Scot ?? (@scotwithat) August 9, 2024
She GAGGED the haters! So happy for her omg.???
Imane Khelif, Olympic gold medalist. pic.twitter.com/Ivv6eUNl0S
— inqilāb (@tastefullysaucy) August 9, 2024
Every single one of Imane Khelif’s wins from now on out is going to feel so personal to so many people including me. ??
Just look at her smile and emotions after all that nuisance she was dragged through. That’s peak strength ???? pic.twitter.com/pWbWDHXbh6
— bhumi mithra (@bhumi_mithra) August 9, 2024
Imane Khelif wins the Gold Medal ?. A lot of propaganda and lies . Born a female , born with lady parts . Lies about the IBA tests that were not disclosed . Not a transgender . That’s not allowed in her country . HI HATERS #SHEisHER #IMANEKHELIF ??? pic.twitter.com/Fwy9jhCC9u
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) August 9, 2024
Y’all don’t understand how iconic Imane Khelif is for making Algerians watch and be this excited about a sport other than football, and for a WOMAN, this has never happened before! Ever!! https://t.co/YDKLGj0SdT
— Selma (@Khattinii) August 9, 2024
CONGRATULATIONS IMANE KHELIF ?
WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOUTHE WORLD OWES YOU AN APPOLOGY pic.twitter.com/LYco9J9rZ4
— DJ SNAKE (@djsnake) August 9, 2024
Smiling faces ??
After Imane Khelif won her gold medal bout, her opponent, Yang Liu of China, embraced her with a smile.
They later celebrated together by taking selfies. Everyone is joyful and enjoying the moment.
Haters can hate; they don’t mind.#ImeneKhelif https://t.co/3UyVH3LGvh pic.twitter.com/e1KRIwVS1q
— أمينة Amina (@AminaaKausar) August 10, 2024
Haters have made an INTERNATIONAL ICON out of Imane Khelif, and made themselves look absolutely stupid in the process. They put her through hell through no fault of her own, but she persevered and won Gold Medal. She is crying rn! Amongst the story of the Olympics. QUEEN ?? pic.twitter.com/tTf9zfPWNS
— sohom (@AwaaraHoon) August 9, 2024
Imane Khelif sold scrap metal to pay for her boxing training, is a UNICEF ambassador, stood up against horrific bullying, and is now an Olympic champion. pic.twitter.com/BkvP9VEVul
— Dr. Lucky Tran (@luckytran) August 9, 2024
A little girl fighting poverty, abuse, sexism, hate and hurdles to a woman continuing her fight having the whole world against her, facing ugly cyber harassment and still embracing the Gold Medal in Olympics. Imane Khelif you are an icon.#Imane_Khelif #ImaneKhelif #imanekhelif pic.twitter.com/or42TPIuwX
— i (@Miksiddiqui) August 9, 2024
The world has a new icon today, and her name is Imane Khelif!