Imane Khelif’s Father Says ‘Having Such a Daughter Is an Honor’ amid Olympic Controversy

The daddy of Olympian boxer Imane Khelif is talking out in regards to the controversy surrounding his daughter on the 2024 Paris Summer time Video games.

On Saturday, Aug. 3, the boxer’s dad Amar Khelif opened up in an interview with Reuters about his daughter’s ardour for boxing — and mentioned that her current streak of wins which have assured her no less than a bronze have made him proud.

“Having such a daughter is an honor as a result of she is a champion, she honored me and I encourage her and I hope she is going to get the medal in Paris,” Amar advised Reuters. “Imane is just a little woman that has beloved sport since she was six-years-old.”

Whereas talking to the outlet, Khelif’s father additionally shared an official-looking doc, which confirmed her birthday and intercourse. “That is our household official doc, Might 2, 1999, Imane Khelif, feminine. It’s written right here you’ll be able to learn it, this doc would not lie,” he mentioned.

Khelif has been the middle of a gender-based controversy following her match on Thursday, Aug. 1, in opposition to Italian boxer Angela Carini, who bowed out of her match in opposition to Khelif, citing a extreme nostril damage.

Following the match, the Algerian boxer’s critics argued that she mustn’t have competed on the Olympics after being disqualified from the 2023 boxing world championships as a consequence of failing an unspecified gender eligibility check from the Worldwide Boxing Affiliation (IBA), in line with a report from the Related Press.

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The IBA claimed on the time that the outcomes of the eligibility check confirmed that Khelif had elevated ranges of testosterone, however different officers within the boxing world argued that the check outcomes weren’t clear, and the IBA has since been suspended from being a part of the Worldwide Olympic Committee (IOC) as a consequence of allegations of corruption, in line with ESPN.

The IOC has since reaffirmed its determination to permit Khelif to compete within the video games. In accordance with the AP, “Khelif was assigned feminine at delivery and it says so on her passport, which is the Worldwide Olympic Committee’s threshold for eligibility for boxing.”

Khelif has beforehand been candid about how shut she is together with her household, and has mentioned they’ve been influential in her boxing profession. In an interview on Sunday, Aug. 4 with SNTV, a sports activities video accomplice of the Related Press, she spoke about staying linked with them whereas she is competing in Paris throughout the Olympics.

“I’m involved with my household two days every week. I hope that they weren’t affected deeply,” the boxer mentioned, acknowledging her current controversies. “They’re apprehensive about me. God prepared, this disaster will culminate in a gold medal, and that might be one of the best response,” she continued, in line with the Related Press, sharing her appreciation for the Olympic Committee for doing her “justice.”

Khelif is subsequent set to compete within the semifinals on Tuesday, Aug. 6 in opposition to Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand.

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