The Bigot Undertones of the Imane Khelif Gender Controversy

Imane KhelifThe bad-faith actors, the usual peanut gallery, had their claws at the ready when Imane Khelif’s name up. These…

Imane Khelif

The bad-faith actors, the usual peanut gallery, had their claws at the ready when Imane Khelif’s name up. These 2024 Olympic games have been surrounded by gender controversy. The truth is that she is a woman, not a trans person, not a man competing as a woman, but it didn’t matter because these people were waiting for a target to unleash their long-held anger.

Imane Khelif: Olympic Gender Issues

Algeria’s Imane Khelif was born a woman, identifies as a woman, and competes as a woman. In her home country, it is illegal to be a trans person or have trans surgery. Being an LGBTQ person could land you in prison. It is unbelievable to think that Algeria would send a trans person to compete on their behalf, but the truth hardly mattered. Simply, these bad-faith arguers on X were looking for prey.

What initially kicked this off was a decision from the IBA. The IBA was the organization that suspended the Algerian-born Imane Khelif. This organization is not considered reputable by international standards. The Olympics cast them aside for corruption among other controversies. On the IBA “Gender Test” Morgan Campbell wrote for CBC Sports:

No IBA documents clarify exactly how these two women, who had competed issue-free in the past, landed outside the organization’s gender boundaries. Minutes from the board of directors meeting following the 2023 world championships repeatedly cite unspecified tests at an unnamed lab, and that the two boxers “failed to meet eligibility rules.” Eventually IBA president Umar Kremlev told a reporter that Khelif and Yu-Ting, who is also competing in Paris, had an X and Y chromosome, which made them, in IBA’s view, something besides women.

In a statement regarding the IBA, the IOC outlined that no proper procedure was followed, they added:

The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was taken without any proper procedure – especially considering that these athletes had been competing in top-level competition for many years.

But it didn’t matter. The facts simply didn’t matter in the face of a great target; Imane Khelif.

The IBA had a bizarre press conference just a few days ago to respond. They did not provide any evidence regarding this case. Olympic sports writer Les Carpenter outlined what happened:

“Are you going to show us evidence, or is it time for us to leave the room now?” a reporter interrupted … With the men on the dais saying they don’t test all boxers for testosterone irregularities and had only chosen four at the 2022 championships, including Khelif and Lin, and then only Khelif and Lin in 2023. They did not provide the results of the 2022 tests or why those athletes were selected, other than vague references to complaints from opposing countries.

Trans people in sports is an entirely reasonable discussion to have. It is an interesting topic that is worth examining further. However, the issue is surrounded by reactionaries who are not looking for a reasonable discussion. Additionally, this case, with Imane Khelif, is backed by a peanut gallery on X and a corrupt boxing organization rather than facts.

Minority Women Being Called Men

Algeria’s Imane Khelif was called out for being a man, being a trans person, having increased testosterone, or being intersex; the insults followed a classic pattern to underscore minority women’s achievements by insulting them and claiming they are men. Women of color are constantly and historically called men.

Minority women often face microaggressions and overt insults that bisect with both racism and sexism. The intent behind these comments is to undermine their identities and achievements by attacking their appearance and questioning their femininity.

Women of Color

Michelle Obama was long criticized not for her political positions but instead she was accused of being a man. A lie that would last for all eight years of the presidency. It was designed to be an insulting jab, with racist undertones.

Some athletic examples include Indian sprinter Dutee Chand, WNBA star Brittney Griner, South African runner Caster Semenya, tennis champion Naomi Osaka, Indian wrestler Vinesh Phogat, snowboarder Chloe Kim, tennis stars Venus & Serena Williams, golfing standout Michelle Wie, and all-time great boxer Claressa Shields.

Shields
Mandatory Credit: PFL

Aside from athletes, the following women are often called men: Congresswoman Cori Bush, actress Michaela Coel, and Vice President Kamala Harris. What do all of the above women have in common? They are women of color, just like Imane Khelif. Women of color are insulted and have their looks compared to men at a much greater rate than their white counterparts who are in the same position.

The people themselves who are calling Imane Khelif a man are not racist. To be clear, the insult has a basis in racism. The insult has a bigoted context, not the people themselves.

Historic Context

This line of racist insults is not new, Imane Khelif happens to be the most recent target. It is an insult that dates back decades. Tennis player Althea Gibson, in the 1950s, was often subjected to comments that questioned her femininity. Implying she was more masculine. Track and field athlete Wilma Rudolph, in the 1950s, faced similar derogatory comments. Critics often made remarks about her muscular build, suggesting she was more male than female.

In the 1980s, runner Florence Griffith-Joyner set a record and met derogatory comments about her appearance and performance-enhancing drug accusations. The comments were often rooted in racial and gender biases. Critics implied that her muscular physique and performance were unnatural for a woman.

Insulting a minority woman and calling her a man is nothing new and a classic racist insult. Instead of raising up strong female athletes, and lifting their voices, the racist mob chooses to tear them down. Athletes such as Claressa Shields should be celebrated in a way that an all-time great athlete deserves to be treated. Instead, bigoted and old insults continue to plague women’s careers.

‘This Is Misinformation’ Chael Sonnen Reacts to Imane Khelif’s Olympic Boxing Controversy

Imane KhelifImane Khelif was the target of online abuse by bad-faith actors earlier this week. The Algerian Olympic boxer has…

Imane Khelif

Imane Khelif was the target of online abuse by bad-faith actors earlier this week. The Algerian Olympic boxer has been the leading story during these Olympic games, and the story of her gender. Chael Sonnen, former UFC fighter, has taken a step forward to try and counteract the misleading information that has been circulating.

Imane Khelif

Many people online were led to believe that Imane Khelif was a trans athlete or a man acting as a woman. This infuriated the masses who called out in uproar. The fact is Imane Khelif is from Algeria where being a trans person is illegal and transitionary surgeries are not allowed. The Algerian Olympic boxer was born a woman and still is a woman to this day. Additionally, she has never been found to have increased levels of testosterone and has been in Olympic testing for at least four years.

Last year, Imane Khelif was suspended by the IBA, an organization that is not recognized as legitimate by the Olympics. The IOC has been critical of the IBA for corruption and not following proper procedures. In a statement, the IOC explained, “The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was taken without any proper procedure – especially considering that these athletes had been competing in top-level competition for many years.”

“‘Are these athletes women?’ The answer is yes, according to eligibility, according to their passports, according to their history.” IOC director Mark Adams added.

Imane Khelif
Image via: AP

Chael Sonnen Talks Imane Khelif

Those who acted too quickly, and judged without knowing more, are now taking a step back to apologize for their words. Chael Sonnen, former UFC title contender and MMA personality, has gone to X and is attempting to counteract misinformation being spread.

One Tweet claimed that two men were competing for medals in Olympic boxing. Sonnen responded simply: “This is not accurate.”

In another Tweet, people tried to explain how women were fighting men in boxing. Sonnen countered with, “Matt, you got played. Delete this. The XY talk and the testing for such was misinformation.”

‘This Is Misinformation’ Chael Sonnen Reacts to Imane Khelif’s Olympic Boxing Controversy

Imane KhelifImane Khelif was the target of online abuse by bad-faith actors earlier this week. The Algerian Olympic boxer has…

Imane Khelif

Imane Khelif was the target of online abuse by bad-faith actors earlier this week. The Algerian Olympic boxer has been the leading story during these Olympic games, and the story of her gender. Chael Sonnen, former UFC fighter, has taken a step forward to try and counteract the misleading information that has been circulating.

Imane Khelif

Many people online were led to believe that Imane Khelif was a trans athlete or a man acting as a woman. This infuriated the masses who called out in uproar. The fact is Imane Khelif is from Algeria where being a trans person is illegal and transitionary surgeries are not allowed. The Algerian Olympic boxer was born a woman and still is a woman to this day. Additionally, she has never been found to have increased levels of testosterone and has been in Olympic testing for at least four years.

Last year, Imane Khelif was suspended by the IBA, an organization that is not recognized as legitimate by the Olympics. The IOC has been critical of the IBA for corruption and not following proper procedures. In a statement, the IOC explained, “The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was taken without any proper procedure – especially considering that these athletes had been competing in top-level competition for many years.”

“‘Are these athletes women?’ The answer is yes, according to eligibility, according to their passports, according to their history.” IOC director Mark Adams added.

Imane Khelif
Image via: AP

Chael Sonnen Talks Imane Khelif

Those who acted too quickly, and judged without knowing more, are now taking a step back to apologize for their words. Chael Sonnen, former UFC title contender and MMA personality, has gone to X and is attempting to counteract misinformation being spread.

One Tweet claimed that two men were competing for medals in Olympic boxing. Sonnen responded simply: “This is not accurate.”

In another Tweet, people tried to explain how women were fighting men in boxing. Sonnen countered with, “Matt, you got played. Delete this. The XY talk and the testing for such was misinformation.”

UFC star Ciryl Gane to carry the Olympic torch ahead of the 2024 Summer Games in Paris

UFC star Ciryl Gane to carry the Olympic torch ahead of the 2024 Summer Games in ParisCiryl Gane will carry the Olympic torch on June 4. Seven weeks before the games officially kick off in…

UFC star Ciryl Gane to carry the Olympic torch ahead of the 2024 Summer Games in Paris

Ciryl Gane will carry the Olympic torch on June 4.

Seven weeks before the games officially kick off in Paris, France on July 26, the former UFC interim heavyweight world champion will carry the torch in his hometown of La Roche-sur-Yon.

“Proud to carry the flame,” Gane wrote in a translated post on Instagram. “Hoping to one day see MMA in an Olympic event.”

Ciryl Gane

More than 10,000 athletes will converge on ‘The City of Light’ this summer vying for one of the most coveted prizes in all of competitive sports — an Olympic medal.

Kicking off on the final Friday in July, the opening ceremony will be held on the Seine River with boats representing each national delegation and traveling east to west, winding their way through the center of Paris where the athletes will compete for the following 16 days.

In addition to the athletes, the Olympic Games will play host to over 40,000 volunteers and 20,000 accredited journalists. The 329 scheduled events will emanate from 35 different venues, generating 350,000 hours of broadcast television. Millions of spectators will watch the festivities live from Paris while billions more will watch from their homes and mobile devices around the globe.

2024 Summer Olympics in Paris

The 2024 Summer Olympics debuts a new sport — but it’s not MMA

Of the 32 different sports on display, there will be one newcomer to the 2024 Games — Breaking.

Also known as break dancing, breaking is an urban dance style that became a staple of hip-hop culture in the 1970s. According to the official Olympics website, the event will feature “16 B-Boys and 16 B-Girls facing off in spectacular solo battles” all while improvising their moves to the beat of the DJ’s tracks.

2024 Summer Olympics in Paris

Breaking will be the only new sport introduced at this year’s games, but sport climbing, skateboarding, and surfing will make its return to the Olympics after debuting in Tokyo four years ago.

Unfortunately, mixed martial arts will not be part of the games, but many fight fans are holding out hope that the sport will one day grace the Olympic stage. For now, combat sports aficionados can enjoy karate, judo, wrestling, and boxing which have been a part of the summer spectacular for some time.

In 2022, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) granted provisional recognition to sambo, kickboxing, and Muay Thai, though none of them will be making their debut in 2024. Perhaps we’ll see them at the 2028 games when the Olympics head to Los Angeles, Calif.

Jake Paul Partners with Team USA Boxing, Headed to 2024 Olympic Games in Paris

Jake PaulSocial media sensation Jake Paul is headed to Colorado Springs to train alongside a heap of Olympic hopefuls from…

Jake Paul

Social media sensation Jake Paul is headed to Colorado Springs to train alongside a heap of Olympic hopefuls from Team USA ahead of the 2024 Summer Games in Paris.

‘The Problem Child’ made the announcement online, also revealing that he would be traveling to the ‘City of Light’ with his fellow pugilists as they vie for bronze, silver, and gold.

“I’m honored to partner with USA Boxing as the 2024 Paris Olympics approach,” Paul wrote on X. “I’ll be training with the Olympic squad in Colorado Springs this winter and accompanying them to Paris this July to amplify our country’s best amateur boxers. My commitment to boxing is much more than my in ring accomplishments.

“I am determined to make my impact outside the ring bigger than anything I do within it,” Paul continued. “I believe the United States has the best boxers. Let’s put it to the test. Anyone who works hard enough to fight for their country in the most iconic contest has my support. Team USA let’s go!!! See y’all in Paris.”

Jake Paul hopes his star power will help ‘Amplify global interest in boxing’

After making a name for himself against past-their-prime MMA stars such as Tyron Woodley, Ben Askren, Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz, Jake Paul is hellbent on becoming a legitimate force in the sweet science. Earlier this month, Paul kickstarted his new campaign with an impressive first-round knockout against Andre August, moving his overall record to 8-1 with five wins by way of knockout.

Paul’s company, Most Valuable Promotions, also made the official announcement of his partnership with Team USA boxing, writing:

“In recognition of Jake Paul’s significant impact on the sport and the awareness he brings to the sport for younger generations, USA Boxing is partnering with him to bring fans inside the world of Olympic boxing. The groundbreaking partnership serves as Jake Paul’s next step in his mission to provide a platform for young fighters and amplify global interest in boxing, and represents the first time a professional athlete and influencer has partnered with Team USA for the Olympics in this capacity.”