Amid growing controversy, the father of Olympic boxer Imane Khelif has decided to break his silence to clarify the speculations surrounding his daughter’s gender. Khelif, who won the gold medal at the 2024 Olympic Games, has been at the center of debates and conspiracy theories about her gender identity following her outstanding performance in the ring.

The controversy emerged when various sectors of the public and some sports media began to question Khelif’s gender, suggesting that her success in the women’s category might have been due to perceived physical advantages. These insinuations, often steeped in prejudice and lacking evidence, quickly spread on social media, sparking heated discussions.

In a recent interview, Khelif’s father expressed his outrage at the accusations, emphasizing that his daughter is undoubtedly a woman who has worked tirelessly to reach where she is today. “She is a world-class athlete who has faced numerous challenges throughout her career, and she doesn’t deserve to have her success questioned in this way,” he stated. He also added that Khelif has followed all necessary regulations and protocols in her sport, and any doubts about her gender are completely unfounded.

These types of controversies are not new in women’s sports, where successful athletes often face unfair scrutiny over their gender identity or the origin of their physical abilities. In the case of Imane Khelif, the firm response from her family and various members of the sporting community aims to put an end to these rumors and remind everyone that her success is the result of years of effort, dedication, and innate talent.

As this issue unfolds, the global sports community is closely watching the developments of this case, which highlights both the prejudices and the additional pressures female athletes face on the international stage.