Saudi Ambassador and IOC member Princess Reema calls for an end to criticism of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif
LONDON: The Saudi ambassador to the United States said on Saturday that media criticism of Algerian Olympic champion and boxer Imane Khelif must stop and that “kindness and human dignity must always take precedence.”
Princess Reema bint Bandar spoke at the 142nd Session of the International Olympic Committee in Paris in her capacity as a member of the IOC and official of the Commission for Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
However, she said that in the case of the abuses suffered by Khelif, she spoke as a “woman, a Muslim and an Arab”.
She continued: “I cannot, therefore, in good conscience serve on this committee and at the same time remain silent on the media comments about Imane Khelif.
“I would like to say today that I wholeheartedly support (IOC President) Thomas Bach and all those who communicated the joint statement of the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit and the IOC on August 1.”
The Algerian won the gold medal in Paris after a turbulent run. She had to endure harsh criticism inside and outside the ring and was abused on the Internet worldwide for misconceptions about her femininity.
“From my perspective, the facts are clear: Khelif is a woman,” said Princess Reema. “She was born a girl and has lived her entire life as a woman. However, despite this joint statement, false reports based on misinformation have continued to emerge, causing immeasurable pain. This is not only unacceptable, but absolutely heartbreaking,” she added.
The ambassador said Khelif, who came from a humble background in rural Algeria, worked as hard as any other Olympic athlete with “determination, courage and perseverance” for the right to compete in front of the world.
Princess Reema bint Bandar, in her capacity as a member of the IOC and official of the Commission for Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, delivered a speech at the 142nd session of the International Olympic Committee in Paris. (Supplied)
“As is the nature of Olympians, she represents the most superior skills and capacities, and that is what makes these Games so spectacular and what makes Paris so spectacular. But no one has the right to deny her femininity, and continuing to spread false narratives against her is an attempt to rob her of her dignity and merit,” said Princess Reema.
“So I stand here today before this distinguished committee and say that this cannot continue. Olympic women are elite, they train to be the best of the best. And it is our collective failure that we are still having this discussion, so I think it is more important than ever.
The princess said that if a woman remains silent, it is seen as consenting to the false reports or as weakness, but if she speaks out, she is accused of being defensive.
“I believe that athletes should focus on their performance and not have to justify their existence,” she told the committee.
“No athlete should be bullied or ridiculed because of his looks, no athlete should use his victories or his talents or successes that he has developed throughout his life as a weapon against himself, because what overshadows looks is talent.
“This Olympic Games celebrates diversity, with athletes from every corner of the world. But, ladies and gentlemen, you know that women do not look, speak or act uniquely, and every woman who performs in her respective sport is unique. The only commonality is the determination to make it to the top,” she added.
The Saudi princess said after Khelif's quarter-final victory, as she fell to her knees in tears: “Every woman who has ever felt isolated, ridiculed, or labelled as someone who told her she didn't belong, fell with her. And when she got up, they rose with her.”
She added that she not only pledged her full support to the IOC and its “courageous and bold statements”, but also to “every woman who has been subjected to unnecessary criticism at a time when they should be shining and reaping rewards”.
She continued: “I ask the public and humanity to look at the female athletes and see what they have been through and ask themselves: What if it had been your daughter? What if it had been your friend or relative? Their words matter and our behavior matters.”
“And to any girl who thinks she's a little off track or outside the norm: If you see a bat, pick it up; if you see a football, kick it; and if you see a track, run as fast as you can.”
