As the world gathers in Paris for the Summer Olympics, the spirit of unity and athleticism is, once again, overshadowed by controversy. At the center of this storm is Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer whose right to compete has been questioned not due to her talent or skill, but because of her biology. Khelif, who is facing scrutiny and backlash for allegedly not being a cis woman, embodies the complex intersection of gender, race, and sports politics.
Khelif is a cis woman, born and raised in a conservative village in Tiaret, Algeria. She is believed to have hyperandrogenism, a condition characterized by higher-than-usual levels of androgens (male hormones) in a woman’s body. This condition can occur naturally and is often linked with disorders like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Despite her biological reality and the fact that she is legally and anatomically female, the 25-year-old has been subjected to invasive gender tests and public scrutiny, further perpetuated by her disqualification from the world championships last year for failing gender eligibility tests.
According to The International Olympic Committee (IOC), she was “disqualified just hours before her gold medal showdown against Yang Liu at the 2023 world championships in New Delhi, India, after her elevated levels of testosterone failed to meet the eligibility criteria.”
At the time, the Algerian Olympic Committee responded by alleging that the disqualification was part of a “conspiracy” to prevent them from winning a gold medal, and honestly, they’re probably not too far off.
The social media witch-hunt against the three-time African champion, led primarily by white conservative men and women, is filled with rhetoric steeped in racism, xenophobia, and transphobia.
“A North African man beating the shit out of a European woman to cheers of the pampered elite is a pretty accurate representation of what’s happening in Europe as a whole,” wrote one Twitter user.
“Nothing to see here, just a Muslim man beating up a woman!” exclaimed another.
Perhaps it’s a hunch, but if Khelif were a white woman from a Western country, it is highly likely that the online discourse would be different. The Western media and public opinion often display a double standard, where athletes from non-Western countries, particularly those of color, are often scrutinized harshly when they seem to fall outside gender norms.
As if the Satanic display at the opening ceremony wasnt enough, the Olympics glorifies men punching women in the face with the intent of knocking them unconscious.
Imane Khelif is 1 of 2 male boxers fighting women at the Olympics. A woman is going to die. pic.twitter.com/kYJX1MaAw4
— Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) July 30, 2024
Consider the case of Caster Semenya, the South African middle-distance runner who also has hyperandrogenism (leaked medical reports revealed she has natural testosterone levels in the male range). Semenya has faced relentless scrutiny and has been subjected to invasive testing and public humiliation following her victory at the 2009 World Championships. In 2019, new World Athletics rules came into force preventing athletes like Semenya with certain disorders of sex development (DSDs) from participating in 400m, 800m, and 1500m events in the female classification, unless they take medication to suppress their testosterone levels.
Furthermore, in Algeria, a conservative Muslim country where gender transition surgery is not an option due to legal and cultural restrictions, the idea that Khelif could be anything other than a cis woman is not just improbable but impossible. This stark reality highlights the ignorance and bias of those who question her gender based solely on her physical capabilities and appearance. It’s a reflection of a broader issue where African and other non-Western athletes are unfairly scrutinized and discriminated against, often without any scientific or factual basis.
Hyperandrogenism is a naturally occurring variation in human biology. It does not equate to male identity or capabilities. Women with hyperandrogenism, such as those with PCOS, have been competing in sports for years without issue. However, when it comes to elite sports, these women are suddenly seen as too advantaged. This perspective fails to recognize that every athlete has unique physiological traits that contribute to their performance. Usain Bolt’s fast-twitch muscle fibers or Michael Phelps’s wingspan are celebrated, yet Khelif’s natural hormonal levels are questioned.
Imane khelif is now being attacked by some people claiming she’s a man
as you can see in the pictures she’s 100% girl she was born a girl and didn’tchange anything
this is so disrespectful towards her
can’t imagine her reaction when she sees all this shit hope she stays strong pic.twitter.com/DaPJl8I42U— 🎀 (@nvsrine) July 30, 2024
Excluding women with medical conditions from sports is not just a scientific misunderstanding but a moral failing. It perpetuates the idea that women’s bodies must conform to a narrow standard of femininity and athleticism, disregarding the natural diversity of human biology. Moreover, it sends a harmful message to young girls and women with similar conditions, suggesting that they must suppress or alter their natural bodies to be accepted in sports and society.
This lack of education and understanding around women’s bodies is also evident in the case of Yomna Ayyad, who was set to become the first female Egyptian boxer at the Paris Olympics before she was disqualified due to a weight increase of 700 grams caused by “physiological and hormonal changes” – also known as her period. The vague description of the menstrual cycle underscores the pervasive ignorance and stigmatization surrounding women’s natural biological processes. Instead of acknowledging and accommodating the normal fluctuations in a woman’s body, Ayyad’s disqualification highlights a broader issue within sports regulations that often fail to consider the unique aspects of female physiology.
The misinformation campaign against Khelif on social media spurred the IOC to issue an official statement declaring that all athletes competing in the boxing competition at the 2024 Olympics meet the competition’s stringent eligibility and entry criteria, and applicable medical regulations.
“All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations in accordance with rules 1.4 and 3.1 of the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit,” the committee wrote.
Following the IOC’s clarification, Khelif is set to compete against Italy’s Angela Carini in a welterweight bout on Thursday. As Khelif prepares to compete, her case stands as a powerful reminder that the ongoing fight for fairness and equality in athletics is far from over.
