Olympic boxer Imane Khelif denounces hateful scrutiny and bullying

In an interview with SNTV, a sports video partner of The Associated Press, Khelif called for an end to the bullying of athletes.

Impact of International BacklashKhelif, who has been greatly affected by the international backlash, urged people to uphold Olympic principles and refrain from bullying. âœIt can destroy people, it can kill peopleâ™s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying,❠she said in Arabic.

Both Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting have faced online abuse based on unsubstantiated claims about their gender, despite their impressive performances at the Paris Games. Khelif acknowledged the pressure and pain of enduring this ordeal while competing in the most important event of her career.

Support from Family and Olympic CommitteeKhelif stays in contact with her family twice a week and hopes they are not deeply affected by the situation. She expressed gratitude to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its president, Thomas Bach, for standing by her amidst the controversy. âœI know that the Olympic Committee has done me justice, and I am happy with this remedy because it shows the truth,❠she said.

Conflicting Reports and AllegationsThe controversy stems from the International Boxing Association's (IBA) claims that Khelif and Lin failed unspecified eligibility tests for the womenâ™s competition at last yearâ™s world championships. Khelif declined to discuss whether she had undergone tests other than doping tests, preferring to focus on her performance.

Support and DeterminationDespite the scrutiny, Khelif has received massive support at her bouts, drawing cheers and crowds waving Algerian flags. She emphasized her determination to compete and win a medal, stating, âœI donâ™t care about anyoneâ™s opinion. I came here for a medal, and to compete for a medal.â

Mental Health and Social MediaKhelif mentioned that she has been somewhat shielded from social media due to a mental health team that prevents athletes from following it during the Olympics. âœIâ™m here to compete and get a good result,❠she said.

Ongoing Olympic JourneyKhelif began her Olympic journey with a victory over Angela Carini of Italy and continued with a win against Anna Luca Hamori of Hungary. Her next bout is against Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand, with a chance to fight for a gold medal if she wins.

A Message of ResilienceReflecting on her experience, Khelif described the mix of joy and pain she felt after her victory over Hamori, highlighting the impact of the media frenzy on her emotions. She remains resolute in her quest for gold, confident that justice will prevail.

Khelifa's story underscores the broader issues of gender scrutiny and bullying in sports, advocating for a respectful and supportive environment for all athletes.

READ MORE: Keely Hodgkinson declares 'I deserved this' after storming to 800m gold