Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has firmly rejected accusations suggesting she is a transgender woman, asserting that she is a woman and rightfully competes in the women’s boxing category at the Olympics.
She stressed that she has always lived as a woman, being born as one, and has previously addressed questions about her gender.
At a press conference following her gold medal win, Khelif referred to those who doubted her gender as ‘enemies of success’, stating that their skepticism only enhanced the significance of her achievement.
“As for whether I qualify or not, whether I am a woman or not, I have made many statements in the media,” Khelif said as quoted by theguardian.com.
“I am fully qualified to take part in this competition. I’m a woman, like any other woman. I was born a woman, I lived a woman, I competed as a woman, there’s no doubt about that.
[The detractors] are enemies of success, that is what I call them. And that alsogives my success a special taste because of these attacks. My honour is intact now,” she added.
Imane Khelif won the gold medal in the Women’s 65kg after beating Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-Ting who was also accused of being a transgender woman.