Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who recently claimed the gold medal in the 66kg category at the Paris Olympics, has taken the internet by storm with her dramatic transformation. The athlete, who defeated China’s Yang Liu in the final bout, found her victory overshadowed by a controversy surrounding her gender identity, which escalated into a full-blown social media uproar.
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The controversy ignited when Italian boxer Angela Carini abruptly forfeited her match against Khelif just 46 seconds into the bout, sparking a wave of transphobic remarks online. Many social media users attacked Imane Khelif based on an alleged failed gender test, with trolls claiming she “looked like a male.” The situation intensified as thousands of comments poured in, questioning her appearance and fueling the online abuse.
In response to the harsh criticism, Imane Khelif recently shared a video showcasing a complete makeover, aimed at conforming more closely to traditional female beauty standards. Collaborating with Beauty Code, the video captures Khelif transforming her look—her usual pulled-back hairstyle was swapped for a stylish blowout, complemented by earrings, a pink blouse, and full makeup.
The video, which Imane Khelif posted on her Instagram account, quickly went viral, amassing an impressive 20 million views. The makeover clip also gained traction on X (formerly Twitter), where it garnered an additional 11 million views and sparked a flood of comments. While many praised her transformation, the video also attracted negative remarks, with some users continuing to question her gender identity. “All I see is a man wearing makeup,” commented one user on X, while another wrote, “It’s a man wearing eyeliner.”
Despite the backlash, Khelif remains resolute. After her Olympic win, she tearfully addressed the controversy, asserting, “I want to tell the entire world that I am a female, and I will remain a female.” She has also initiated legal action against those who targeted her with hateful remarks online, with her lawsuit naming prominent figures like Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling, who were both accused of making derogatory comments about the athlete.
Imane Khelif’s story has sparked widespread debate, shedding light on the pressures faced by female athletes and the ongoing challenges surrounding gender identity in sports.
