Algeria's Imane Khelif Wins Boxing Gold Amid Eligibility Controversy

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics after weeks of controversy over whether she should be disqualified from competing against other women.

Key Quote: After winning the gold, Khelif said, "I am a woman like any other woman. There is no doubt."

For Context: Throughout her Olympic run, some spectators have alleged that Khelif is biologically male and poses a danger to female boxers. Last year, the International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified her and another competitor from the international championship on the grounds that they had failed a gender eligibility test which allegedly showed they have XY chromosomes; the International Olympic Committee (IOC) later stopped recognizing the IBA as boxing's international governing authority, citing poor governance and shady financials. Defenders of Khelif's participation have pointed to a document showing she was born female reported by Reuters (Center bias) and argued that stereotypically male features don't mean Khelif is not a woman.

How the Media Covered It: Associated Press (Lean Left) emphasized that Khelif had "endured intense scrutiny in the ring and online abuse from around the world over misconceptions about her womanhood." Daily Mail (Right) described the bout dramatically, playing up Khelif's dominance and the severity of her opponent's loss, and portrayed her post-bout remarks as combative: "Imane Khelif was not done throwing punches." Wall Street Journal (Center) wrote that Khelif's victory portends an uncertain future for boxing as the IOC-IBA dispute plays out.