Algerian boxer Imane Khelif was in tears after her win this weekend. Unfortunately she faced hateful comments and false claims about her gender after her first fight, where her Italian opponent, Angela Carini, quit the match just seconds in, saying that a punch from Khelif was too painful to continue.
Historians and anthropologists say that female athletes of color have historically faced more scrutiny and discrimination, including sex testing and false accusations of being male or transgender.
From the 1960s to the late 1990s, sex testing was a controversial part of the Olympics.
Early on, female athletes sometimes had to undergo physical exams or chromosome tests to verify their sex. However, this wasn’t a uniform requirement for every female athlete in every sport.
By the late 1990s and early 2000s, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) began to move away from mandatory sex testing due to its ethical concerns and the negative impact it had on athletes.
Florence Griffith-Joyner, also known as Flo Jo, allegedly had to undergo sex testing during her career due to rumors and controversies about her appearance in the late 1980s.
Despite these issues, Flo Jo’s legacy is strong because of her incredible achievements, including winning three Olympic gold medals and setting world records in track and field.
In 2021, the Olympic committee introduced 10 principles for gender and sex inclusion. These guidelines focus on creating a “safe and harassment-free” environment that respects athletes' identities and ensures fair competition.
International Olympic Committee spokesman Mark Adams previously said Khelif “was born female, was registered female, lived her life as a female, boxed as a female, has a female passport.” According to the Associated Press.
Italian boxer Angela Carini wants to apologize to her Algerian opponent, Imane Khelif, for her role in sparking the rumors surrounding Khelif's gender.
Do you think questions regarding Imane Khelif's gender are a reasonable concern about fairness, or do they reflect underlying racism in sports?
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