Algerian boxer Imane Khelif ‘not intimidated’ by Trump as she targets second Olympic gold in LA

LONDON – Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif, at the centre of a gender row at the 2024 Paris Games, is targeting a second gold in Los Angeles and says she will not be intimidated by Mr Donald Trump.

The US President in February signed an executive order barring transgender women from competing in the female categories of sports. He had previously said the 25-year-old had transitioned from being a man, even though that is not the case.

“I will give you a straightforward answer – the US President issued a decision related to transgender policies in America,” she told Britain’s ITV News.

“I am not transgender. This does not concern me, and it does not intimidate me. That is my response.”

On March 20, boxing was included in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic programme after a unanimous vote from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), ending years of doubt over the sport’s Games future.

“Second gold medal, of course,” said Khelif when asked about her target. “In America, Los Angeles.”

She added: “This experience has taught me a lot. I believe that if the old Imane operated at 50 per cent of her potential, then the Imane Khelif of today is even more motivated and determined.

“I have learnt so much from this campaign against me, and what happened at the Paris Olympics was an eye-opening experience. I feel even stronger now than I was before.”

Khelif’s triumph in Paris, along with that of Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu-ting, sparked a raging gender eligibility debate, with high-profile figures such as Mr Trump and billionaire Elon Musk weighing in.

She revealed she was “deeply affected mentally” by the “major media campaign” surrounding her, with her family sharing the brunt of the attacks.

Khelif and Lin were disqualified from the International Boxing Association’s 2023 world championships after the organisation, the longstanding governing body of amateur boxing, said they had failed gender eligibility tests.

The IOC has severed links with the IBA over financial, governance and ethical issues. In February, the IOC provisionally recognised World Boxing, which has over 80 national federations as members after its 2023 launch, as the body to oversee the sport at the Olympics.

“As we say in Algeria, those who have nothing to hide should have no fear,” Khelif told ITV.

“The truth became clear at the Paris Olympics – the injustice was exposed and later, the truth was acknowledged by the Olympic Committee in Paris.

“For me, I see myself as a girl, just like any other girl. I was born a girl, raised as a girl, and have lived my entire life as one. I have competed in many tournaments... but once I began achieving success, the campaigns against me started.” AFP