November 1, 2024 The Newspaper Serving LGBT Los Angeles

Olympic Boxer Faces Transphobic Attacks After Olympic Victory: IOC Responds to Misinformation

Algerian Boxer Faces Unfounded Transphobic Allegations After Italian Opponent Folds

A female Olympic boxer from Algeria, Imane Khelif, has faced a barrage of transphobic insults today after her opponent in an Olympic match, Italian boxer Angela Carini, threw in the towel after only 46 seconds. Khelif was born a woman, and in Algeria, her home country, being trans is against the law. 

Carini made claims such as, “I have never felt a punch like this.” after being hit multiple times, she fell to her knees, cried, and refused to shake her opponent’s hand. 

Well-known transphobic users on the social media site Twitter were quick to make unfounded allegations that Imane Khelif was a man. J. K. Rowling said in a Twitter post,” Could any picture sum up our new men’s rights movement better? The smirk of a male who’s [sic] knows he’s protected by a misogynist sporting establishment enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head, and whose life’s ambition he’s just shattered.”

Vice Presidential Candidate JD Vance posted, seemingly trying to make it an issue about the beliefs of the presumptive Democratic Presidential candidate, “This is where Kamala Harris’s ideas about gender lead: to a grown man pummeling a woman in a boxing match. This is disgusting, and all of our leaders should condemn it.”

Ari Drennan, journalist with MMFA and trans woman, said via the social media site, “Algeria sending a trans boxer to the Olympics would be huge news to LGBTQI Algerians, who face multiple years in prison if they are caught. This lie is vile, sick, and WEIRD.”

More than one user brought up the point that the criticism of transgender gender identities was always going to end with cisgender females’ gender being questioned and denied. 

Mark Adams, IOC Spokesman, said in a press conference that the two boxers who were being speculated about, Imani Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu‑ting,  had competed as women, lost fights to other women, and emphatically stated that the controversy was “not a transgender issue.”

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued a lengthy statement to stem the tide of hateful misinformation spreading on social media. The statement said, “Every person has the right to practice sport without discrimination. All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU).” 

The statement continues, “We have seen misleading information in reports about two female athletes competing at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The two athletes have been competing in international boxing competitions for many years in the women’s category, including the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, the International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships, and IBA-sanctioned tournaments.

These two athletes were the victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA. Towards the end of the 2023 IBA World Championships, they were suddenly disqualified without due process.

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 statement concludes with a reminder that the organization that largely caused this debacle is no longer sanctioned by the International Olympic Committee. “The IBA’s recognition was withdrawn by the IOC in 2023 following its suspension in 2019. The withdrawal of recognition was confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). See the IOC’s statement following the ruling.”

in NEWS
Related Posts

West Hollywood Unveils Powerful Art Installation Advocating for the Equal Rights Amendment

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

Final Impact Campaign by Equal Means Equal Brings a New Photo Installation to West Hollywood Equal Means Equal, a national...

All You Need to Know to Attend the Dodgers Victory Parade Tomorrow in DTLA

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

World Champions and LA’s Team to Greet Angelenos After Win of NY Yankees The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that their...

Beverly Hills City Government Agrees to a Stipulated Judgment After Blocking Abortion Clinic Opening

November 1, 2024

November 1, 2024

City to Implement Training, Oversight on Reproductive Rights Following Legal Settlement  California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a legal agreement...

Dia De Los Muertos 2024: Here’s Where To Celebrate The Holiday Tradition This Weekend

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Los Angeles Has a Variety of Ways to Explore Latino Culture and Honor Ancestors Starting just after Halloween, Dia de...

(Video) Downtown L.A. Reacts to World Series Victory

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

The Dodgers Are World Series Champs For The Eighth Time https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTFtyDDKn/

Halloween Pre-Game Party Brings Chills and Spooky Thrills to The Rose Venice

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

Enjoy Halloween With Festive Cocktails, Appetizers, and a Costume Contest The Rose Venice in Venice is set to host a...

(Video) Something About Her’s First Tea Time Was a Big Hit

October 31, 2024

October 31, 2024

The Next Date is November Third. Beautiful vibes, deciduous food and drink. Don’t miss it. @Something About Her @centurycitywestwoodnews Something...

Something About Her Sandwich Shop Hosts Second Exclusive Tea Time on November 3

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

By Dolores Quintana West Hollywood’s Delightful Sandwich Spot by Vanderpump Rules Stars Has Tea Service Something About Her, the adorable...

Helms Bakery Reopens in Culver City After 55 Years, Welcoming Fans Old and New

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Iconic West LA Bakery Returns With Pastries, Sandwiches, and Nostalgia After teasing Westside residents since January 2023 on Instagram, Helms...

Los Angeles Dodgers Win 2024 World Series in Thrilling Comeback Against Yankees

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Dodgers Claims the Championship Title With a Stunning Victory The Los Angeles Dodgers are World Series Champions as of 8:56...

Gwen Walz Event Raises Over $100,000 for Harris-Walz Campaign in West Hollywood

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Supporters Join Gwen Walz at the Abbey Just a Few Days Before Election Day Gwen Walz, the wife of Democratic...

Trailer for Luca Guadagnino’s Queer Drops, Set for Limited Release on November 27

October 30, 2024

October 30, 2024

Based on William S. Burroughs’ Novel, the FilmBrings a Powerful Love Story to Life Not content with releasing one amazing...

(Video) Home Front Build Maintains Original Architectural Vision For Modern Homes

October 29, 2024

October 29, 2024

For More Information, Go to homefrontbuild.com @yovenicenews Home Front Build Adapts Original Vision of Architect Into Modern Structures #home #construction...

Kanye West Buys $35 Million Beverly Park Mansion in Exclusive Beverly Hills Neighborhood

October 29, 2024

October 29, 2024

The 20,000-Square-Foot Estate Comes Just After West Sold His Gutted Malibu Home According to property records, rapper Kanye West, now...

Governor Gavin Newsom Allocates $827 Million to Combat Homelessness Statewide

October 29, 2024

October 29, 2024

New Funding Aims To Create Housing, Expand Shelters, Enhance Support Services Governor Gavin Newsom announced $827 million in new state...