‘How Can Someone Question Her’: Indian Track Athlete Boldly Sides With Imane Khelif Amid Controversy

The Gender Row has sparked big time in the ongoing 2024 Paris Olympics after Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif came under fire after Italy's Angela Carini opted out of their match. Carini was left bleeding as Khelif's strikes were tough for him. Given that the Algerian was a designated male at birth, she dealt with widespread criticism for competing in the women's category. Amid the heat and backlash, one of India's premier track and field athletes has taken a stand for the Algerian athlete who bagged a controversial win in the Olympics.

Also Read: Did Imane Khelif Fail Gender Test Before Paris Olympics? Here Are Real Facts About The Big issue

India Track and Field Athlete Takes a Stand for Imane Khelif Amid Gender Row in Paris Olympics

Amid the entire gender row fiasco innvolving Algerian boxer Imane Khalif at the 2024 Summer Olympics in the French Capital, Indian track and field athlete Dutee Chand advocated for the athlete's freedom to perform in the historic multi-sport event.

"A lot of issues occur when such a situation comes up. I faced it in 2014. Before I was selected for the Commonwealth Games, I was dropped from the team. There were media reports that I had to undergo a gender test, that I am not a woman but a man and that is why I cannot play in the women's category. At that time, the biggest challenge was to lead a normal life in society...So, with what is happening at the Olympics, she (Imane) will perhaps face a lot of issues...She will face immense mental pressure...

"Before we go to the Olympics, we face a number of tests - Doping Test, Hormonal Level Test, Gender Test. So, if she is facing a gender issue, how did she participate in the Olympics? She has played in a lot of competitions before this. She must have undergone tests there too. When IOC made no complaints that she is male by gender, how can someone question her?.. She has lost 9 games so far (in her career). Today, she (Angela Carini) is questioning as she lost the game. She would not have raised a question had she won," Dutee Chand said while speaking to ANI.

Also Read: Who Is Angela Carini? Why Did The Italian Boxer Quit Her Fight Against Imane Khelif At Olympics?

After barely 46 seconds, Italian boxer Angela Carini quit her welterweight bout against Khelif. The Algerian fighter had hit Carini so hard in the nose that it had even taken off her chinstrap, leaving her bleeding. She chose to quit the game after a quick 30-second chat with her coach, revealing that Khelif's strikes were the toughest she had ever taken in her professional career.