The father of manly Algerian boxer, Imane Khelif has defended his daughter against allegations of cheating.
Khelif became a subject of global attention after her female opponent, Angela Carini quit their Olympic bout in just 46 seconds last Thursday.
The incident threw up her disqualification last year for failing the gender eligibility test world championships in New Delhi, India.
Khelif’s father, Amar Khelife, has now blasted those criticising his daughter, saying it is all “a ploy” to stop his daughter from doing well and winning a medal at the Olympics.
She described the attacks against his daughter as immoral and unfair.
He said Imane has loved sports since she was six years old and used to play football.
He said those criticising her do not want her to be the champion of the world.
Khelife said he told his daughter to prove them wrong in the ring and expressed the hope that she would honour Algeria and Arabic countries and win the gold medal.
He said Imane is “our role model”, adding that they would also want to be like her and honour Algeria and Tiaret.
He displayed an official document dated May 2, 1999, which states that Khelife Imane was born a female.
In a related news, Algeria has reacted to a photo of Italian boxer, Angela Carini crying after her bout with Khelife.
Algeria FC wrote: “Cry more.”
Another boxer who was disqualified last year, Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan, won her bout against Sitora Turdibekova of Uzbekistan in the 57kg category on Friday afternoon, August 2.
The charity, Sex Matters condemned the bouts, towing the same line as Harry Potter author JK Rowling and double Olympic gold medal-winning ex-boxer Nicola Adams, who both condemned the inclusion of the controversial boxers.
Sex Matters director of campaigns Fiona McAnena said the IOC should be “ashamed”.
McAnena said it was unfair that at the pinnacle of her sporting career, Carini had to concede for her own safety.
She said the look of sheer pain and devastation on Carini’s face at that moment should be enough to end the absurd and dangerous spectacle of men in women’s sport once and for all.
