The runways of Milan Fashion Week, Italy, witnessed an unprecedented event over the weekend, as Algerian Olympic champion Iman Khalif appeared in a different look away from the boxing ring.
Khalifa participated in the Bottega Veneta fashion house show to present the “Spring 2025 Collection”, in the presence of stars and fashion icons, and she stole the spotlight with a distinctive look designed by the aforementioned fashion house.
Iman Khalif during her participation in the Bottega Veneta fashion show in Italy
The Algerian champion achieved an accomplishment by winning the gold medal in women’s boxing in the 66 kg weight category at the Paris Olympics, amid controversy over her sexual identity.
The controversy stems from a decision to disqualify Khalif from the World Boxing Championships in New Delhi in March 2023. According to the International Boxing Federation, Khalif “failed a test to determine her gender.”
Because of the Olympic Committee’s decision to exclude the International Boxing Federation from organizing the game’s competitions in the Paris Games, the federation declined to specify the type of test that was conducted.
For the IOC, Khalif’s eligibility is “not in doubt”, as she was allowed to compete in women’s bouts, but the issue of her exclusion from the New Delhi World Championships resurfaced when her Italian opponent Angela Carini withdrew from the first bout at the Paris Olympics after 46 seconds after receiving two strong punches to the head.
Algerian boxing has been widely discussed in the international media and on social media since then.
