Most of the world is reacting with shock and outrage over an Algerian boxer who is competing in the Paris Olympics women's boxing competition despite the fact that his/her gender is open to serious question. Imane Khelif made headlines when his/her opponent, an Italian woman, was forced to quit for fear of suffering serious injury. In spite of the controversy over Khelif's true gender, she/he has advanced with another victory, and is now assured of winning at least a bronze medal.
Last year, Khelif was disqualified from the International Boxing Association finals when it was determined that (Khelif) possessed too many male hormonal characteristics. Khelif denies being male, and the Olympic International Committee is defending its decision to allow Khelif to compete against women.
I won't rush to judgment on this issue because I have no idea what Khelif is, but I hope it is straightened out soon. If Khelif is, indeed a biological male, it's bad enough that women are being deprived of the chance to compete in sports (the American swimmer, Lia Thomas, comes to mind), but if we are talking about boxing, somebody is liable to get killed here.
At any rate, back home in Algeria, the local media is all aglow and bursting with pride. An example is this article in the French-language Algerian newspaper, l"Expression, which is translated by Fousesquawk.
She assures Algeria a medal at the Paris Olympic Games
Imane Khelif responds in the ring!
At the end of her fight, Imane Khelif burst into tears, a reaction shared by the 44 million Algerians who have followed her path with passion and emotion.
Imane Khelif hits hard. She has just made history in the national sport by winning a brilliant victory by unanimous decision at the Paris Olympic Games. The boxer left no room for chance, defeating her opponent with faultless mastery and determination. This triumph gives Algeria its first medal in this prestigious competition. By ensuring at least a bronze medal, Khelif gives the country its first prize in women's boxing. Hopes now turn to gold, an ambition totally within the reach of this exceptional athlete. This victory is not only a sporting feat, but also a personal revenge for Khelif. In recent days, she has been the target of an intense smear campaign, a test that could have destabilized any athlete. However, Khelif responded in the best possible way, in the ring, showing exceptional resilience and strength. At the end of her fight, Imane Khelif broke into tears, a reaction shared by the 44 million Algerians who have followed her path with passion and emotion. This medal is a deserved victory that goes beyond the sporting framework, embodying the hope and pride of an entire nation.
She's a woman. She has a vagina and a uterus. Her body just happens to produce more testosterone than women usually do.
ReplyDeleteDo you really think that Algeria, of all places, would have a trans athlete represent them?
Incidentally, she's been beaten by several women in the past.
Get your head out of your right wing echo chamber and do a little reading before you add your voice to the cacophony.
Dear Anonymous,
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of doing a little reading-you should go back and read what I wrote.
" I won't rush to judgment on this issue because I have no idea what Khelif is, but I hope it is straightened out soon. If Khelif is, indeed a biological male, it's bad enough that women are being deprived of the chance to compete in sports (the American swimmer, Lia Thomas, comes to mind), but if we are talking about boxing, somebody is liable to get killed here."
Good grief!!
What part of that don't you understand or find objectionable?
I read it. You said you have no idea what she is. I'm telling you that you could have learned it instead of giving oxygen to this baseless speculation.
ReplyDeleteShe's a woman, move along.
Good grief indeed.
You don't know the answer any more than I do. You say she has a vagina and uterus. Based on whose testimony? There are sources that say Khelif has both x and y chromosomes.
ReplyDeleteWho the hell knows? I admit I don't, but you know-how?
Do I know with 100% certainty? No. But I have as much certainty, if not more, that you were born with a penis and testicles.
ReplyDeleteShe's from Algeria, where it is illegal to be transgender. Not very likely that they'd have one represent them in the Olympics. That, and she has always competed as a woman and with women.
What's hilarious about this whole thing is that the same crowd who insists that one's genitalia is the determiner of both sex and gender are now getting all into the weeds about chromosomes.
Maybe this will eventually lead to a good thing and you all will finally learn the difference between biological sex and gender, and how neither is just a simple binary. I'm not holding my breath though, as you all make not learning things a point of pride.
"She's from Algeria, where it is illegal to be transgender. Not very likely that they'd have one represent them in the Olympics"
ReplyDeleteGood point to consider. As I have said from the beginning I don't know the truth, but I would be totally opposed to female boxers having to go against biological men.
"Do I know with 100% certainty? No. But I have as much certainty, if not more, that you were born with a penis and testicles."
Getting a bit personal, aren't you?
You got something you need to confess?
ReplyDelete