Khalifa, the gold medalist of the “Paris 2024” boxing tournament in the 66 kg weight class, sent a message to her Italian competitor, Angela Carini, the most prominent figure among those who sparked the crisis before facing the Algerian in the round of 16, as the Italian team claimed that the latter had undergone a “sex change” operation and that she was not a woman, which was supported by the International Boxing Federation, especially since it excluded Iman from participating in the 2023 World Championships, before the final match of the tournament.
But the Olympic Committee supported Algerian boxing, until it won the gold medal in the final after defeating China’s Liu Yang in the 66 kg weight competition.
Speaking to the BBC, Khalif said about her achievement and the fierce campaign that preceded it: “It was a long and arduous series, 20 days behind the scenes, but God was my source of success, so that I could confront the fierce campaigns of bullying and the like. It is a matter of patience, struggle and suffering. I always used to say a word in every interview I appeared in, which is that barriers generate motivation. Thank God, I controlled my nerves and my mind. My spirit was athletic for the sake of my dream until I won the gold.”
She added: “The campaign against me was fierce from all over the world. They wronged me, but I thank the International Olympic Committee that came out to reveal the truth. Thank God, after my exclusion from the World Championships, my goal was the Olympics, because I know that I was wronged. Thank God, I achieved the Olympic dream and the truth appeared. This shows the world how to succeed from nothing to something.”
Boxer Iman explained her reaction to what was being written on social media during the crisis: “I was not following social media. There was a special mental health team that took the phone away from me and allocated a private bedroom for me alone, until I got over this stage and focused on the competitions and opponents. Thank God, God helped me.”
When asked about her relationship with the Italian Angela Carini and her competitors in general throughout the tournament, the Algerian commented: “I don’t know why they made such a fuss, they took advantage of the opportunity, they have known me for years, and as for the Italian boxer, she was my colleague, she has known me well for years and not for a year or two, most of my preparations were in Italy, all the Italian coaches know me well since I was not winning medals until I developed, so I think they used the campaign to influence my psyche, and this is normal, as victory comes by any means, but the flaw is crossing the boundaries in this way, and I want to send a message to the world (all athletes must adhere to the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter), I hope they avoid bullying and hatred, because they are capable of dividing peoples.”
She continued: “In every match, I showed sportsmanship. After the end of the match, I saluted all the boxers. This is normal. Even when I won the gold medal on the podium, I was filled with happiness before the runner-up and third place. I want to salute them.”
The Algerian girl concluded: “You will not be able to change the truth. The truth remains the truth. It is above everything, and divine justice is above everything. I am a Muslim, Arab girl with morals. I came for my goal and it was achieved. I am proud to be Algerian and for the people to defend me. I thank them very much. My tongue is unable to express it. I feel like I am in a movie that I do not want to end. The Paris Olympics are just the beginning. I will rest for a few months and then return to look for another path in boxing.”
It is noteworthy that Angela Carini withdrew from facing Iman in the Olympics after a few seconds of the start of the confrontation between them, claiming that she received a strong blow that she “could not bear,” and she left crying, claiming that she did not face a woman.
But a few days after that withdrawal, the Italian came out to apologize to Iman Khalif, expressing her sadness at the fierce campaign she was subjected to, and announcing her respect for the Olympic Committee’s decision regarding her eligibility to face women because she is a natural female.
Source: “Agencies”
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2024-08-14 00:55:30
