The most talked-about issue in Paris revolves around the boxing debate at the Olympic Games.
Imane Khelif, who was disqualified from the 2023 world championships after tests indicated she possessed male XY chromosomes, has been a dominant force in the women’s 66-kilogram category.
Khelif recently scored a victory against Italy’s Angela Carini after Carini withdrew just 46 seconds into the match.
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Caitlyn Jenner addressed the issue surrounding the women’s Olympic boxing event. (Phillip Faraone/WireImage)
Khelif’s participation in the Games has sparked debate around fairness in women’s sports, leading to significant backlash against her. Critics argue that the Algerian should not be allowed to compete in the Olympics.
Caitlyn Jenner, who won the men’s decathlon in 1976 as Bruce Jenner, claims that the situation has “damaged” the competition.
“This issue has harmed the Olympic Games significantly. … It’s on everyone’s lips,” Jenner stated on Fox News’ “The Story” Friday, noting that it detracts from other achievements.
Jenner believes Khelif does not belong in a women’s division.
“I don’t want to be excessively harsh … but we must establish rules and regulations, which should focus on DNA,” she emphasized, stating that individuals with XY chromosomes should compete in men’s events.
“I believe the Olympic committee made a grave error by allowing [Khelif] to compete,” Jenner added. “Shame on the IOC for not upholding the integrity of women’s sports and for not ensuring the safety of women in sport.”
Algeria’s Imane Khelif (in red) gestures to Italy’s Angela Carini during a women’s 66-kilogram preliminary match at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the North Paris Arena in Villepinte on Aug. 1, 2024. (Mohd Rasfan/AFP via Getty Images)
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Khelif is set to face Hungarian Luca Hamori in the next round on Saturday.
The International Olympic Committee stood by Khelif’s eligibility on Thursday as the gender debate intensified.
“These two athletes became victims of a sudden and arbitrary ruling made by the (International Boxing Association),” the IOC stated regarding Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting in 2023. “Towards the conclusion of the IBA World Championships in 2023, they were abruptly disqualified without due process.”
Imane Khelif of Algeria before her match against Angela Carini of Italy. (Reuters/Isabel Infantes)
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According to the IBA minutes on its official website, the decision was first made by the IBA’s secretary general and CEO. The IBA Board later ratified this decision and subsequently requested the establishment of procedures to be documented in the IBA Regulations. The minutes also indicate that the IBA must “create a clear protocol on gender testing.”
Fox News’ Ryan Gaydos contributed to this report.
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