{"id":460249,"date":"2026-02-05T14:46:07","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T14:46:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/460249\/"},"modified":"2026-02-05T14:46:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-05T14:46:07","slug":"imane-khelif-defends-her-right-to-compete-amid-misgendering-and-political-exploitation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/460249\/","title":{"rendered":"Imane Khelif defends her right to compete amid misgendering and political exploitation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has insisted she will do “anything” necessary to continue competing at the highest level, following mockery from figures including Donald Trump<\/a>, Elon Musk<\/a> and JK Rowling, along with a sustained wave of online abuse.<\/p>\n

The 26-year-old athlete first became the focus of global controversy in 2023 when the International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified her from the World Championships following sex chromosome testing. <\/p>\n

The decision sparked worldwide uproar, but rather than derailing her career, the episode preceded a remarkable comeback. In 2024, she returned to the ring and claimed a historic gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games.<\/p>\n

Now, Khelif has indicated she is willing to comply with testing requirements if it allows her to defend her Olympic<\/a> title in two years.<\/p>\n

Although she initially challenged the governing body\u2019s announcement of mandatory sex testing last year, she has now told CNN<\/a> she “would accept doing anything I’m required to do to participate in competitions”.<\/p>\n

\"\" Getty Images<\/p>\n

“They should protect women, but they need to pay attention that while protecting women, they shouldn’t hurt other women,” she continued. <\/p>\n

The scrutiny surrounding Khelif intensified in January when Trump<\/a> inaccurately referred to her as a “male boxer” during a speech to Republican lawmakers, appearing to cement his support for an expected Supreme Court ruling that would uphold state-level bans on transgender athletes in girls\u2019 and women\u2019s sports \u2013 despite Khelif not being transgender.<\/p>\n

In a bid to protect her peace, Khelif has stayed silent on the matter. But now, she has a message for those in power. <\/p>\n

“I\u2019m not transgender. I\u2019m a woman. I want to live my life\u2026 Please do not exploit me in your political agendas,” she told the outlet. <\/p>\n

You should also read… <\/p>\n

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