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Imane Khelif’s coach Mohamed Chaoua admits the Algerian boxer has been ‘greatly affected’ by the controversy surrounding her gender at the Paris Olympics.
Khelif, who is a biological female, finds herself at the center of a fierce dispute this summer after being cleared to fight against women at the Olympics – despite being thrown out of last year’s world championships for allegedly failing a test which proved she has male XY chromosomes.
The International Olympic Committee still allowed her to compete in Paris after severing ties with the International Boxing Association – which claims Khelif is a ‘biological male’ after disqualifying her from the world championships.
Yet despite the outrage surrounding her participation, the IBA is still yet to release official evidence to support its argument.
In the meantime Khelif has been subjected to abuse and false allegations while storming into the Olympic welterweight final, and the 25-year-old’s coach says it has got to her.
Imane Khelif has been ‘greatly affected’ by the debate over her gender at the Olympics
Chaoua said: ‘Imane has been greatly affected by this situation. (She said) “Why me?”
‘She has not surrendered to this campaign (of abuse). She has given them a lesson in ethics.’
Khelif’s coach went on to claim that his fighter has grafted hard to reach her level and is the victim of a power struggle for control of the sport, insisting that to his knowledge she is indeed a woman.
The storm surrounding her erupted after Italian opponent Angela Carini pulled out of their round-of-16 Olympic bout after just 46 seconds, during which she came under a barrage of punches.
A number of high-profile figures hit out at the IOC for allowing her to compete against women, but Chaoua is ready for Khelif to silence her critics by going all the way in Paris.
‘We have worked hard over the past two years,’ he added before her semi-final win on Tuesday. ‘The gold medal is the best response to these people.’
Khelif’s coach Mohamed Chaoua (center) is adamant that his fighter is indeed a woman
Amid the controversy surrounding her gender, the Algerian booked her place in the women’s welterweight final at the Olympics on Tuesday
Khelif’s bout against Italian welterweight Carini was not the first time the pair had fought, Chaoua said. Carini, who declined to shake Khelif’s hand after the fight, later said she wanted to apologize to the Algerian for her reaction.
‘She is distinguished by her quick reaction compared to other competitors. She gave it her all,’ Chaoua claimed. ‘Imane surprised everyone. She used to be very thin before she developed the muscles that everyone is criticizing now.’
After beating Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand in the semifinals on Tuesday, Khelif is now set to face China’s Yang Liu in the women’s welterweight final this Friday.
