In recent weeks, there has been quite a bit of undue controversy surrounding Algerian Olympic Boxer Imane Khelif. Khelif, who is set to fight Yang Liu of China on August 10th for the Gold Medal in the women’s welterweight division, has been targeted by malicious abuse and disinformation with regard to her gender.
While there has been quite a bit of hate thrown her way, the outpour of support for Imane Khelif has been quite wonderful to see. Apart from the obvious support from the Algerian Olympic Committee, Khelif also received a very notable statement of support from the Palestinian Olympic Association as well as the International Olympic Committee.
Quite a few Celebrities and Athletes have also chimed in with open support for Khelif. American Women’s Football Star Meg Rapinoe, as well as newly crowned Double Olympic Lightweight Champion Kellie Harrington of The Republic of Ireland, who beat Imane Khelif in the Quarterfinals of the 2020 Summer Olympic Games in Tokyo, have both been openly backing Imane Khelif.
On August 7th, WWE Star Sami Zayn also decided to join the fray. Former Intercontinental Champion Sami, who is of Syrian descent, spoke out in vociferous defence of Khelif on the social platform X, stating, “Big ups to the Muslim sister Imane Khelif who advanced in the Olympics today to box for the gold medal after facing a swarm of the most idiotic, bigoted comments I’ve ever seen an Olympic athlete face. InshaAllah, she wins the big one & the ****** online get the help they need”.
Khelif, who was earlier dogged by a swarm of controversy, shall now go into her gold medal match riding an emotional groundswell of support.
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