Many of us watched with bated breath as Imane Khelif took part in the gold medal welterweight boxing match at the French Olympics – clinching victory on 9 August, South African Women’s Day, and making her supporters proud.

The Algerian 25-year-old won her first gold medal by beating China’s Yang Liu, crying excitedly and thanking Allah the Most High for her win.

Imane Khelif is a true inspiration to all young men and women across the globe, especially those who have faced judgment because their appearances do not align with societal norms surrounding gender. Imane was humiliated and misgendered as a man after Italy’s Angela Carini quit their 1 August match within 46 seconds and said she feared for her life.

Soon after the match, Imane was degraded on social media, with public figures such as J.K Rowling and Elon Musk alleging that she was a “man beating a woman”. The young lady’s father even needed to publicise images proving that his daughter was female, was born a girl, and was raised as such.

In 2023, Imane was disqualified from the World Championships after she failed a gender eligibility test by the International Boxing Association (IBA). However, the International Olympic Committee continued to allow her to partake in the tournament, noting that the IBA’s testing was subjective and random.

A question many have posed online is: If Imane hadn’t beaten a white female Italian boxer and made her cry, would she still have received so much hate online?
In the same way, South Africa’s Caster Semenya was caught in various debates regarding defamatory gender ideologies, Imane and her Olympic journey were sullied by harmful slander and libel.

Many female athletes from various countries and ethnic groups have been body-shamed for their muscular physiques and so-called ‘manly’ figures. From American Olympic gold-winning gymnast, Simone Biles, to South Africa’s middle-distance runner, Caster Semenya, and American rugby star, Ilona Maher – strong women are constantly rejected by society despite the plethora of achievements they have.

It is baffling that in 2024, the idea of femininity continues to be unidimensional, with specific body types lauded for being ‘womanly’, with others dubbed ‘too masculine’.

Imane and all the female gold medalists deserve the praise and jubilation they receive. These women sacrificed so many years of their lives and showed great determination to compete at the Olympics. Watching female athletes excel despite their various challenges should inspire us all to live out our passions.

Even though Imane’s road to Olympic gold was fraught with controversy and strife, she never gave up on her dream. She remained graceful, focused, and thankful to Allah for His favour. She is an iconoclast and a woman of wonder.\

Young people weigh in on the Imane Khelif debate
I spoke to three diverse South Africans who shared their views on Imane Khelif being able to compete at the Olympics.
Yolanda Klaas, a young man who works as a teaching assistant, believes Imane deserved her win:
“Whenever a woman of colour looks slightly different to the normative standards of femininity, she is judged. It was obvious from Imane’s technique that she would win comfortably. She has great strength and long, limber arms.”

Emily Basson, a high school teacher, notes that Imane should receive more support from other women:
“Supporting Imane is crucial. We need to show a united front and collectively empower one of our own. Women who uplift each other create a nurturing and supportive environment.”

Trisha Pillay, an award-winning reporter and master’s student, says that there shouldn’t even be a debate around Imane’s eligibility:
“How is this even a contentious topic? It makes no sense to me that she’s being bullied because of her appearance. She proved herself and was not barred entry – had she lost to the Italian boxer, there would be no debate. She had every right to represent her country.”

When Imane cried, we all cried. Seeing a strong woman win her battles despite the turmoil and travail she faced should motivate us all to excel – this Woman’s Month and beyond!

What do you think of women in the Olympics being judged because of their appearances? Who is your favourite female athlete, and why does she inspire you?

Disclaimer: We are committed to creating a respectful and inclusive environment. As such, any comments that are body-shaming, homophobic, or otherwise disrespectful will not be tolerated or approved. We encourage constructive and compassionate dialogue that uplifts and supports all individuals, regardless of gender expression or identity.