Imane Khelif receives 4 votes for AP’s Female Athlete of the Year
Caitlin Clark was recently named AP’s Female Athlete of the Year, beating out competitors such as Simone Biles and Imane Khelif. The award was decided by a group of 74 sports journalists, with Clark receiving 35 votes and Biles coming in second with 25 votes. However, it was Khelif who caused quite a stir over the summer, receiving four votes and sparking controversy due to gender eligibility issues.
Khelif, a gold medalist boxer from Algeria, had her gender called into question following a disqualification from the 2023 championships over gender eligibility concerns. IBA President Umar Kremlev stated that Khelif had “XY chromosomes,” typically associated with biological males. This led to some backlash, with one boxer, Angela Carini, even forfeiting a bout against Khelif in Paris, citing that “one punch hurt too much.”
Despite the controversy, Khelif went on to win gold at the Paris Olympics, where she did not lose a single round on any scoreboards. Interestingly, Khelif was not the only boxer to face scrutiny over gender eligibility, as Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting also won gold in a women’s weight class, prompting similar outrage.
The International Olympics Committee (IOC) defended both Khelif and Yu-ting’s inclusion in the women’s events, stating that they were victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA. This decision was made without any due process, according to the IOC.
Following her victory, Carini claimed that her eighth Italian title was her “revenge,” possibly referencing her previous forfeit against Khelif. The controversy surrounding Khelif led to her being the most Googled athlete of the year, showcasing the widespread interest in the issue.
Overall, the debate over gender eligibility in sports continues to be a hot topic, with athletes like Khelif and Yu-ting at the center of the discussion. As the sporting world grapples with these complex issues, it is clear that more conversations and policies are needed to ensure fairness and inclusivity in sports.
