Tag: Olympics

Olympics: Claressa Shields sends apology to Imane Khelif “I wish I would’ve did my research”

Imane Khelif Claressa ShieldsThe Paris 2024 Olympic Games have been mired by the Imane Khelif story who has been the target of…

Imane Khelif Claressa Shields

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games have been mired by the Imane Khelif story who has been the target of continuous attacks online. Claressa Shields, former Olympian and current boxing world champion, was quick to judge but has since changed her tone since finding out more.

Imane Khelif

Imane Khelif was suspended last year by the International Boxing Association (IBA) due to being born with XY chromosomes. This decision was criticized by the IOC as not having proper procedure. Due to this decision, the Olympic boxer Khelif has been the target of much hatred online. However, Khelif is a woman, not trans, was born a woman, and has always identified as a woman. It is illegal in Algeria, her home, to transition.

UFC fighters, boxers, online personalities, and more, began attacking Imane Khelif online due to this story which was caused by the IBA. Karim Zidan explains, “It is also worth noting that the IBA has been banned from regulating Olympic boxing because of years of governance problems, a lack of financial transparency and many perceived instances of corruption in judging and refereeing.”

The IOC adds, “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.”

Claressa Shields Apologizes

Claressa Shields is one of the greatest female boxers in history. She earned two gold medals in the Olympic games while representing the USA. Since turning pro, she has earned WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO, WBF, and The Ring world titles across multiple weight divisions. Additionally, Shields competes in MMA with the PFL. The GWOAT, like so many online, were quick to jump and attack. But, since learning more, she has now apologized.

“You can’t look at a woman and say ‘Oh, she doesn’t have a high level of testosterone,’” Shields explained while speaking to TMZ, “Because it can come in all different forms. Your muscles, your face, just inside of you and you look like a petite, beautiful woman, but you have a high level of testosterone…I feel bad now because I did an interview with Fox News earlier where I literally called these two women, transgenders, which that’s what I was told…”

“I wish I would’ve did my research before,” she continued, “Because now I couldn’t imagine being at the Olympics, winning these fights, and now I’m seeing all these articles and I’m trending because a two-time Olympic champ just called me a transgender. I just feel really bad about that, and I want to clear it up on my end that I have found out that these two women, were born women, and I don’t know what this testosterone stuff is about.” [H/t BJPenn]

Imane Khelif is actively competing in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games as a boxer. Overall, she has an amateur record of 37-9-0.

Imane Khelif: Olympics’ scolding statement on boxer backlash: ‘Based on scientific evidence’

Imane Khelif: Olympics' scolding statement on boxer backlash: 'Based on scientific evidence'Amid on the continued scrutiny regarding the competing of welterweight boxer, Imane Khelif at this summer’s Olympic Games in…

Imane Khelif: Olympics' scolding statement on boxer backlash: 'Based on scientific evidence'

Amid on the continued scrutiny regarding the competing of welterweight boxer, Imane Khelif at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, France, the competition have released an official statement addressing her eligibility to compete amongst her female peers.

Khelif, who featured at last year’s World Championships, was disqualified from competition after failing a gender test, however, returned to compete at this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris.

khelif

Competing yesterday against Italian boxer, Angela Carani, Khelif forced a first round TKO win inside just 46-seconds, with the former turning her back and signally her resignation from the bout to her corner team.

Olympics release statement amid Imane Khelif controversy

Set to progress and take on Hungarian striker, Luca Hamoni in a quarter final bracket at the welterweight limit tomorrow, Khelif has been the subject of much controversy on social media, with former undisputed UFC middleweight champion, Sean Strickland claiming her participation is a sign of “political wokeness” within the Olympic structure.

Releasing an official statement, the COA defended Imane Khelif’s ability to compete amongst her female peers.

56692866279

“COA strongly condemns the unethical targeting and maligning of our esteemed athlete, Imane Khelif, with baseless propaganda from certain foreign media outlets,” COA said in a statement released. “Such attacks on her personality and dignity are deeply unfair, especially as she prepares for the pinnacle of her career at the Olympics. The COA has taken all necessary measures to protect our champion.”

Furthermore, a subsequent statement from the IOC (International Olympic Committee) and the Paris 2014 Boxing Unit has been released.

“Every person has the right to practise sport without discrimination,” The statement read. “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 set by the Paris 2024 Boxing United. As with the previous Olympic boxing competitions, the gender and age of the athletes are based on their passport.”

Despite failing gender tests, two boxers allowed to compete in Paris Olympics

“These rules also applied during the qualification period, including the boxing tournaments of the 2023 European Games, Asian Games, Pan American Games and Pacific Games, the ad hod 2023 African qualifying tournament in Dakar and two world qualifying tournaments held in Busto Arsizio and Bangkok in 2024, which involved a total of 1,471 different boxers from the 172 National Olympic Committees, the Boxing Refugee Team and Individual Neutral Athletes, and featured over 2,000 qualification bouts.”

Imane Khelif: Sean Strickland comments on intersex Olympic boxer: ‘Political wokeness’

Imane Khelif: Sean Strickland comments on Intersex Olympic boxer "political wokeness"Outspoken former UFC middleweight champion, Sean Strickland is the latest fighter to hit out at Algerian boxer, Imane Khelif…

Imane Khelif: Sean Strickland comments on Intersex Olympic boxer "political wokeness"

Outspoken former UFC middleweight champion, Sean Strickland is the latest fighter to hit out at Algerian boxer, Imane Khelif after her knockout win over Italian opponent, Angela Carani overnight, after just 46 seconds – claiming the former’s presence in the Summer Olympic Games in Paris is a surefire point to “political wokeness”. 

Khelif, who has been the subject of much-scrutiny across social media this week, made her return to the Olympics this week in a matchup against Italian fighter, Carani – scoring a first round TKO win after just 46-seconds, with the latter turning her back and signalling to her corner she would not be competing further.

Imane Khelif
Image via: AP

Disqualified from World Championship competition last year after failing a gender test, Khelif’s inclusion amongst fellow female competition was confirmed by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) – who confirmed the Algerian was eligible to compete despite criticizm.

“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 regulatons in accordance with rules 1.4 and 3.1 of the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit,” A statement from the International Olympic Committee read.

khelif

“The BU endeavored to restrict amendments to minimise the impact on athletes’ preparation and guaranteeing consistency between Olympic games.”

Sean Strickland hits out at boxer, Imane Khelif

Posting a video on his official X account hitting out at Khelif’s inclusion amongst female boxing peers, Strickland blasted the Olympics as “politically woke”.

Despite failing gender tests, two boxers allowed to compete in Paris Olympics

“Here’s the facts,” Sean Strickland wrote. “The Olympics didn’t test this boxer (Imane Khelif) for political reasons. This boxer has failed a gender test in the past. The boxer may be intersex. This situation was created because the Olympics failed their athletes and their fans out of political wokeness.”

Khelif is scheduled to return to the ring tomorrow in a quarter final bracket, taking on Hungarian boxer, Luca Hamoni at the welterweight limit. 

What are your thoughts on Imane Khelif’s competing at the Olympic Games?

Imane Khelif: Sean Strickland comments on intersex Olympic boxer: ‘Political wokeness’

Imane Khelif: Sean Strickland comments on Intersex Olympic boxer "political wokeness"Outspoken former UFC middleweight champion, Sean Strickland is the latest fighter to hit out at Algerian boxer, Imane Khelif…

Imane Khelif: Sean Strickland comments on Intersex Olympic boxer "political wokeness"

Outspoken former UFC middleweight champion, Sean Strickland is the latest fighter to hit out at Algerian boxer, Imane Khelif after her knockout win over Italian opponent, Angela Carani overnight, after just 46 seconds – claiming the former’s presence in the Summer Olympic Games in Paris is a surefire point to “political wokeness”. 

Khelif, who has been the subject of much-scrutiny across social media this week, made her return to the Olympics this week in a matchup against Italian fighter, Carani – scoring a first round TKO win after just 46-seconds, with the latter turning her back and signalling to her corner she would not be competing further.

Imane Khelif
Image via: AP

Disqualified from World Championship competition last year after failing a gender test, Khelif’s inclusion amongst fellow female competition was confirmed by the IOC (International Olympic Committee) – who confirmed the Algerian was eligible to compete despite criticizm.

“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 regulatons in accordance with rules 1.4 and 3.1 of the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit,” A statement from the International Olympic Committee read.

khelif

“The BU endeavored to restrict amendments to minimise the impact on athletes’ preparation and guaranteeing consistency between Olympic games.”

Sean Strickland hits out at boxer, Imane Khelif

Posting a video on his official X account hitting out at Khelif’s inclusion amongst female boxing peers, Strickland blasted the Olympics as “politically woke”.

Despite failing gender tests, two boxers allowed to compete in Paris Olympics

“Here’s the facts,” Sean Strickland wrote. “The Olympics didn’t test this boxer (Imane Khelif) for political reasons. This boxer has failed a gender test in the past. The boxer may be intersex. This situation was created because the Olympics failed their athletes and their fans out of political wokeness.”

Khelif is scheduled to return to the ring tomorrow in a quarter final bracket, taking on Hungarian boxer, Luca Hamoni at the welterweight limit. 

What are your thoughts on Imane Khelif’s competing at the Olympic Games?

Oleksandr Usyk calls for radical reform of ‘Rotten’ Olympic boxing system

Oleksandr Usyk Calls for Radical Reform of 'Rotten' Olympic Boxing SystemFormer undisputed heavyweight boxing champion, Oleksandr Usyk is the latest in the long line of combat sports stars to…

Oleksandr Usyk Calls for Radical Reform of 'Rotten' Olympic Boxing System

Former undisputed heavyweight boxing champion, Oleksandr Usyk is the latest in the long line of combat sports stars to voice their disgruntlement with this summer’s Olympic Games in Paris, France – particularly voicing his displeasure with the much-scrutinzed boxing competition, which he described as “rotten”.

Usyk, a native of Ukraine, became undisputed heavyweight world champion in professional boxing back in May, handing British heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury his first professional loss in a one-sided unanimous decision win in Riyadh to snatch the undisputed WBC heavyweight crown.

Oleksandr Usyk set to fight Tyson Fury in rematch title clash on December 21.

And expected to take on the Morecambe native at the end of the year in an immediate championship rematch, Oleksandr Usyk, who featured at the Olympic Games in 2012 back in London, won the gold medal at the men’s heavyweight limit.

Oleksandr Usyk labels current Olympic boxing regime “rotten”

However, amid criticizm over the competing of both Imane Khelif and Taiwan native Ling Yu-ting, heavyweight world champion, Usyk has called for a complete reform of the Games’ boxing system, labelling the current regime as “rotten”.

“For many years, there has been a desire to change the boxing system, which is rotten on an international level,” Oleksandr Usyk told SNTV during a recent interview. “So, we just need to work. No promises need to be made; we need to act. When you do this, people see the work done and come to you, asking to collaborate.”

73564357111

A decorated amateur boxing star, Usyk retired from the amateur scene boasting a stunning 335-15 record, besting the trio of Clemente Russo, Tervel Pulev, and current WBC, IBF, and WBO light heavyweight champion, Artur Beterbiev en route to his gold medal victory in London at the heavyweight limit. 

240518 tyson fury saudi arabia oleksandr usyk wm 508p 6dbfba

Unbeaten during his professional career in boxing, with his one-sided decision win over Fury earlier this year in the Middle East, Usyk improved to 22-0 as a professional. 

Ana and Loopy Godinez: The Power Sisters of the Olympics and UFC

Ana Godinez and Loopy GodinezAna and Loopy Godinez are set to have quite a week in combat sports. Ana Godinez is set to…

Ana Godinez and Loopy Godinez

Ana and Loopy Godinez are set to have quite a week in combat sports. Ana Godinez is set to wrestle in the Olympics while Loopy is booked against Mackenzie Dern in the UFC. One will be going for gold, while the other is rallying for a spot in the top rankings.

Ana and Loopy Godinez: The Power Sisters

The Godinez family moved from Mexico to Canada, running from the cartel, when they were younger and the sisters took up combat sports there. It started with rugby and judo and would eventually lead to wrestling.

Ana Godinez is one of the top female freestyle wrestlers in Canada. She has won two gold medals in the Pan Am Games and had other success elsewhere. At the age of 24, she will be representing Canada in the 62 kg freestyle wrestling category at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Eventually, she would like to compete in MMA.

Loopy Godinez began her martial arts journey with Judo and would eventually pick up Jiu Jitsu as well. Since making her professional debut in 2016, the Mexican-Canadian has put together a record of 12-4. Along the way, Loopy Godinez has defeated notable fighters such as Tabatha Ricci, Emily Ducote, and Cynthia Calvillo, among others. This weekend, live from Abu Dhabi, part of UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov, Loopy Godinez will face fellow top-ten-ranked opponent Mackenzie Dern.

Ana and Loopy Godinez 2

Their third sister Karla Godinez is also an impressive freestyle wrestler. She has medaled in the Pan Am games and nearly qualified for the 2024 Olympics hosted in Paris, France.

In an interview with MMA Fighting, Loopy Godinez said:

“I think she’s really focusing on training, focusing on herself. Once I’m fighting and she’s competing, of course it’s nerve-racking and you feel nervous. You just try to focus on yourself, and once it’s time to get nervous, I’ll get nervous. But for now, I’m just really happy for her. She’s worked so hard … [My sisters are] way better wrestlers than I am. Now they can kick my ass. I’m so happy for them. You don’t see a full family of athletes and doing so good. I’m really proud of my family.”

On competing in the Olympics, representing Canada, Ana Godinez said:

“I was wrestling internationally and I [realized] I’ve only been wrestling for like five years at that point. I’m wrestling internationally and I never would have dreamed of this. When I first started wrestling, I didn’t believe I could win provincials (high school championships in Canada). It wasn’t an achievable goal for me, but I feel like I just tried to catch up. I played the catch-up game and I worked really, really hard with Karla and I was just super obsessed. I feel like I have an addictive personality, so I was super obsessed, I would watch video all the time, I would be in the gym and be on the mats for way too long. That caught me up.”