“These athletes should not perform on an equal footing with other girls” – Amineva on Algerian Khelif

Russian Azalia Amineva told why she challenged the Algerian athlete to fight Iman Khelif who was allowed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to participate in the Paris Games despite failing the gender test.

In 2023, the International Boxing Association (IBA) suspended Khelif and Lin Yuting (Taiwan) from the World Championships in India for failing to meet eligibility criteria. Following gender testing, the athletes were found to have XY chromosomes. The IOC allowed them to compete in women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics. Khelif and Yuting have already reached the semifinals, securing at least bronze medals. Amineva challenged Khelif, promising to respond for all female boxers.

“This decision was made after watching the fight between Khelif and Angela Carini. I felt sorry for the Italian woman, I recorded a video with words of support for her. She said that it was far from over, that we should not give up, that all victories were still ahead. And after that, I had the idea to challenge Iman to a fight. I am ready to beat her according to all the rules – amateur, professional. I want to answer for all the girls for whom she has hindered.

Why am I so touched by Khelif’s success at the Paris Olympics? Athletes like Iman should not perform at the same level as other girls. It is high time that world sport took an example from the IBA in this regard, but there she was banned from participating in women’s competitions. I was surprised when I saw her on the grid for the Olympics,” RT quotes Amineva.

Boxing competitions at the Olympic Games are organised by a special unit created by the IOC Executive Board. In June 2023, the IOC Session expelled the IBA from the Olympic movement by a majority vote.

RT

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