An Algerian boxer embroiled in a gender eligibility controversy ahead of the Olympics has accused her detractors of bullying. This statement came as Umar Kremlev, the Russian head of the International Boxing Association, launched a new wave of criticism during a disorganized press conference.
Imane Khelif, guaranteed at least a bronze medal before her upcoming match on Tuesday, expressed her hope that the gold medal would come as a reward for the challenges she has faced over the past week.
“I convey a message to everyone worldwide to honor the Olympic values and the Olympic Charter, and to cease the bullying of athletes, as it has significant effects,” Khelif stated. “It has the potential to destroy people, to damage their thoughts, spirits, and minds. It can also create divisions. Therefore, I urge them to stop the bullying.”
Khelif, competing in the welterweight category, and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, a featherweight boxer, are both assured of bronze medals despite the IBA alleging their non-compliance with gender eligibility rules last year.
The situation escalated when Italian boxer Angela Carini withdrew from her match against Khelif after just 46 seconds, stating she had never been hit as hard before.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) criticized the IBA’s gender eligibility tests on Khelif and Lin, which were deemed lacking in credibility after the IBA lost its status as the official governing body of the sport due to integrity and corruption issues.
During a press conference in Paris on Monday, Kremlev, who joined remotely from what is believed to be an office in Moscow, overshadowed the event with long and disordered comments.
He condemned the Olympic opening ceremony as “horrific for Christians and Muslims globally,” insulted Thomas Bach, the IOC President, and alleged that tests conducted by his medical team revealed a “men’s level of testosterone” in both boxers.
However, IBA officials Ioannis Filippatos and Chris Roberts clarified that the tests administered were chromosomal rather than testosterone levels.
“The chromosomal tests indicated that both boxers were ineligible,” Roberts informed reporters.
Roberts elaborated that Khelif and Lin underwent two blood tests; the first in May 2022 resulted in “inconsistencies,” and a subsequent test conducted eight months later during a world championship led to the IBA declaring them ineligible for women’s competition.
Imane Khelif on her way to victory over Anna Hamori in the quarter-finals. Photograph: John Locher/AP
Roberts mentioned he was restricted from discussing further details regarding the test results due to requests from the organizing committees of Algeria and Taiwan.
Also present at the press conference was Khelif’s Algerian teammate, Roumaysa Boualam, the first female boxer to represent Algeria at the Olympics in 2021 and an African champion, who displayed her national flag.
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Boualam stated, “I am here to dispel the rumors regarding Imane Khelif and extend my support to her. This sentiment is shared by all Algerian supporters and journalists present, who know the truth.”
“As Algerians, these rumors impact us all. Our aim is for Imane to bring home the gold medal. As a boxer myself, I can personally speak on Imane’s capabilities. Others have sought to disrupt her when they couldn’t defeat her in the ring.”
The IOC confirmed that both Khelif and Lin, registered as women at birth and holding female passports, were eligible to compete in Paris.
When asked about the ongoing controversy, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe indicated that it had escalated due to unclear IOC regulations.
“It’s simple, have a policy,” he stated. “Be clear about it. You’ll never satisfy everyone, but you need to establish a clear stance. That’s why it was crucial for us.”
“I spent five years as an administrative steward with the British Boxing Board of Control, and as a father of daughters, I certainly have my opinions on this. However, that’s secondary.”
“The key is to have a definitive policy and stand firm behind it—it should guide your approach. Without that, you fall into this kind of turmoil.”
The IBA has faced backlash for accepting sponsorship from Gazprom, a state-controlled Russian entity. When probed about the IBA’s financial sources, Roberts revealed that a comprehensive audit would be disclosed at an upcoming meeting in Cuba. In response to a query about his salary, he replied: “That’s none of your business.”
