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After a massive controversy erupted at the ongoing Paris Olympics in regard to the gender row, including Algerian boxer, Imane Khelif, Indian Olympic medallist Mary Kom has also opened up on the same. However, the Indian Olympian refrained from commenting on it and have kept the things on the International Olympic Committee and International Boxing Association’s discourse, she still believes that it is bad sometimes.
It is to be noted that Imane Khelif has been labelled by some as “biological male” or “transgender” after failing testosterone and gender eligibility tests, but was cleared to compete at the Paris Games. Moreover, the Algerian achieved a win in her round of 16 clash against Angela Carini in the women’s boxing welterweight division after the Italian abandoned the fight in just 46 seconds due to high intensity damage.
Mary Kom reacts to Imane Khelif gender row at Paris 2024
Now with the Imane Khelif’s participation at the Summer Games being the hot topic, Kom believes that it is better to not comment on such matters and left it for the officials to decide. “What to do. It’s better not to comment because it’s not in my hand. It feels bad sometimes also, how do they know that? But I will still say that officials will handle that… I am nobody to comment,” Mary Kom said.
It is to be noted that Indian athlete, Dutee Chand had also spoken in support of Khelif. Chand, who too has been amid similar controversy, successfully challenged the IOC’s regulation in regard to athletes barred from competing with naturally higher testosterone levels in 2014 with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
“In 2014, I challenged the IOC's rule that a person with a higher testosterone level should not participate in the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Switzerland. It was noted that hormonal level cannot increase athletic performance... I suffered a lot at that time. I faced a lot of controversy regarding my gender,” Chand said. “Yesterday, during the Olympic match, (Angela) Carini gave up and now she is complaining about the Algerian boxer (Imane Khelif) because of high testosterone levels. When you play in the Olympics, you undergo several tests. I don't think it is right to create controversy about this social media,” she added.
At this time, the IOC has stood by Khelif’s right to compete at the Games, adding that all athletes meet the necessary regulations and eligibility criteria. The Algerian athlete went on to beat Hungary’s Luca Anna Hamori by unanimous decision in the quarterfinals to ensure at least a bronze medal.
