Boxers train ahead of Riyadh Season Card boxing event in Los Angeles

Jeddah - Yasmine El Tohamy - LONDON: YouTuber Logan Paul has deleted a controversial post on X claiming that Algerian Olympic boxer Imane Khelif is a man.

Khelif found herself at the center of a fierce row after her opponent in the quarterfinal of the women’s 66 kg boxing contest at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Italian Angela Carini, withdrew from the fight after just 46 seconds.

Carini broke down in tears, refusing to shake Khelif’s hand, and later said she had “never felt a punch” as strong as the two Khelif delivered before the fight ended.

Khelif’s inclusion in the Olympics has been mired in controversy after she was disqualified from the 2023 World Boxing Championships in New Delhi after failing to meet the International Boxing Association’s gender eligibility criteria.

The IBA did not disclose why she failed the test, but said she had not undergone a testosterone evaluation. Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting was also disqualified for failing the criteria.

Paul posted on X after the Carini fight ended: “This is the purest form of evil unfolding right before our eyes.” He added: “A man was allowed to beat up a woman on a global stage, crushing her life’s dream while fighting for her deceased father. This delusion must end.”

However, after being informed by other users that Khelif neither identifies as male, transgender or intersex, Paul deleted the post and wrote: “Oopsies, I might be guilty of spreading misinformation along with the entirety of this app. Although she’s been previously disqualified for failing a ‘gender test’ and has XY chromosomes, some sources say Imane Khelif was born a biological woman.

“I stand by my sentiment that biological men should not compete against biological women in any sport.”

Paul also posted a poll on X asking the question: “Is my opinion that men shouldn’t be allowed to compete against women transphobic?”

In a statement, the International Olympic Committee defended Khelif’s participation, saying: “Towards the end of the IBA World Championships in 2023, they (Khelif and Lin) were suddenly disqualified without any due process.
“According to the IBA minutes available on their website this decision was initially taken solely by the IBA secretary-general and CEO.”

The IOC added: “The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was taken without any proper procedure, especially considering that these athletes had been competing in top-level competition for many years.

“The IOC is saddened by the abuse that the two athletes are currently receiving. Every person has the right to practise sport without discrimination.”