LONDON: YouTuber Logan Paul has deleted a controversial post on X which claimed Algerian Olympic boxer Imane Khelif is a man.
Khelif found herself at the centre of a heated argument after her opponent in the quarter-finals of the women's 66kg boxing event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Italy's Angela Carini, withdrew from the fight after just 46 seconds.
Carini burst into tears, refusing to shake Khelif's hand, and later claimed he had “never felt a punch” as hard as the two Khelif had thrown before the fight ended.
Khelif's inclusion in the Olympics has been at the centre of controversy following his disqualification from the 2023 World Boxing Championships in New Delhi for failing to meet the International Boxing Association's gender eligibility criteria.
The IBA did not disclose why she failed the test, but said she did not undergo a testosterone assessment. Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan was also disqualified for failing the criteria.
Paul wrote in X after the Carini fight ended: “This is the purest form of evil unfolding right before our eyes.” He added: “A man was allowed to beat a woman on a world stage, destroying her life's dream while fighting for her late father. This delusion must end.”
However, after being informed by other users that Khelif does not identify as male, transgender, or intersex, Paul deleted the post and wrote, “Oops, I may be guilty of spreading misinformation along with the entire app. Although she was previously banned for failing a “gender test” and has XY chromosomes, some sources claim that Imane Khelif was born biologically female.
“I stand by my belief 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 shouldn't be allowed to compete with 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 any due process.
“According to the IBA minutes available on their website, this decision was initially taken solely by the IBA Secretary General and Chief Executive Officer.”
The IOC added: “The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was taken without any proper procedure, especially considering that these athletes have been competing at high-level competitions for many years.
“The IOC is saddened by the abuse that the two athletes are currently suffering. Every person has the right to practice sport without discrimination.”
