LONDON: YouTuber Logan Paul has deleted a controversial post on X that claimed Algerian Olympic boxer Imane Khelif was a man.
Khelif found herself at the centre of a heated dispute after her opponent in the quarter-finals of the women's -66 kg boxing competition at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Italy's Angela Carini, retired after just 46 seconds.
Carini burst into tears and refused to shake Khelif's hand, later saying she had “never felt a punch as strong” as the two Khelif gave her before the end of the fight.
Khelif's participation in the Olympic Games was surrounded by controversy after she was disqualified from the 2023 World Boxing Championships in New Delhi for failing to meet the International Boxing Federation's gender eligibility criteria.
The IBA did not disclose why she failed the test, but said she had not undergone a testosterone screening. Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting was also disqualified for not meeting the criteria.
After the Carini fight ended, Paul posted on X: “This is the purest form of evil unfolding right before our eyes.” He added: “A man was allowed to beat up a woman on the world stage, destroying her life's dream while fighting for her late father. This madness must end.”
However, after being informed by other users that Khelif does not identify as male, transgender, or intersex, Paul deleted the post, writing, “Oops, I may be guilty of spreading misinformation along with this entire app. Despite being previously disqualified for failing a 'gender test' and having XY chromosomes, some sources say Imane Khelif was born a biological female.
“I maintain that biological men should not compete against biological women in any sport.”
Paul also posted a poll on X asking, “Is my opinion that men should not be allowed to compete against women transphobic?”
In a statement, the International Olympic Committee defended Khelif's participation, saying: “Towards the end of the 2023 IBA World Championships, they (Khelif and Lin) were suddenly disqualified without due process.
“According to the minutes available on the IBA website, this decision was initially taken solely by the Secretary General and CEO of the IBA.”
The IOC added: “The current aggression against these two athletes is based solely on this arbitrary decision, taken without any due process, especially considering that these athletes have been competing at the highest level for many years.
“The IOC is saddened by the insults the two athletes are currently being subjected to. Everyone has the right to practice sport without discrimination.”
