Algerian boxer Imane Khelif will fight for gold amid unwarranted gender controversy

The GIST: Algerian boxer Imane Khelif will fight for a gold medal on Friday after winning yesterday’s 66kg semifinal, a moment of should-be celebration that’s been marred by unwarranted controversy due to a swarm of misinformation surrounding her gender.

The details: It all began with Khelif’s first Olympic fight last Thursday, which her opponent, Italy’s Angela Carini, quit after just 46 seconds. Carini refused to shake Khelif’s hand after the bout and later said she’d “never been hit so hard in [her] life.”

• The quick ending and Carini’s post-fight comments led to increased scrutiny, with many falsely claiming that Khelif, a cis woman, was either a man or transgender.

• The reason? Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting were both abruptly disqualified from the International Boxing Association’s (IBA’s) world championship last year, with the Russian-backed governing body claiming both women failed unspecified gender tests.

Zooming in: Citing issues with the IBA’s integrity, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned the organization from the Olympics in 2023. The IBA is also no longer recognized as the sport’s governing body.

• Plus, as discussed on the latest episode of The GIST of It, the IBA has refused to specify the “gender tests” Khelif and Lin failed and has changed its story at least twice since Khelif’s initial Olympics win.

• The IOC, on the other hand, released a statement in full support of both Khelif and Lin, as both boxers have provided national documentation confirming their gender and were medically cleared to fight.

What’s next: Carini, the Italian boxer who quit the opening fight vs. Khelif, has since apologized for her part in sparking the controversy, saying she has “nothing against Khelif” and would “give her a hug” if they met again.

• As mentioned, Khelif will fight for the gold on Friday, while Lin competes in her 57kg semi bout today at 3:30 p.m. ET. Eyes on the prize.