Italian boxer Angela Carini quit just 46 seconds into her match against Algeria’s Iman Khalif. She left the ring crying, but the result also sparked an uproar on social media, with many blaming officials for allowing “a man” (referring to Iman) to compete in the women’s category.
British author and philanthropist J.K. Rowling called the sports establishment “misogynistic.”
The post, shared by JK Rowling on X (formerly Twitter), reads, “Could any picture better express our new men’s rights movement? The smile of a man who knows he is protected by a misogynistic sporting establishment, revelling in the distress of the woman whose head he has punched, and whose life’s ambitions he has shattered.”
Could any photo better express our new men’s rights movement? The smile of a man who knows he is protected by a misogynistic sports establishment, reveling in the misery of a woman whose head he has punched, and whose life ambitions he has shattered. #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/Q5SbKiksXQ
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) August 1, 2024
Former professional boxer Barry McGuigan also slammed the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for its alleged insensitivity towards women. “Shocking, dangerous and extremely unfair to women and girls. IOC should hang their heads in shame,” McGuigan wrote.
Shocking, dangerous and extremely unfair to women and girls. IOC should hang their head in shame ????
— Barry McGuigan (@ClonesCyclone) August 1, 2024
Elon Musk shared a post by former American competitive swimmer Riley Gaines that claimed “men shouldn’t be involved in women’s sports.” Musk responded to the post, writing, “Absolutely.”
Absolutely
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 1, 2024
However, many defended Iman and said she was born a woman and had not undergone any gender-confirmation surgery.
One comment on Ms Rowling’s tweet said: “Stop spreading misinformation to spread hate. If you want to write fiction then write another book on wizards.”
Stop spreading false information to spread hatred, if you want to write fiction then write another book on wizards
— Matt Zarb-Cousins (@mattzarb) August 1, 2024
Another social media user pointed out that Iman Khalif was a female fighter who was fully qualified to compete in female sports from a gender perspective. “She was born a woman, please don’t undermine her achievement as a woman and call her a man. It’s not right. This mass misinformation needs to stop,” the post read.
Iman Khalifa is a female-born female fighter, she is fully qualified to compete in female sports from a gender perspective
She was born a woman, please don’t undermine her achievement as a woman and call her a man. This is not right. This mass misinformation needs to stop. pic.twitter.com/Ft4kEz4Mxr
, , (@Fs_FTBL) August 1, 2024
“She is a biological woman,” another comment said.
she is a biological woman
— Dittie (@DittiePE) August 1, 2024
This social media user suggested people to do their research before abusing.
The misinformation being spread about Iman Khalifa is so unfair. She is not trans. She is not a man. Can you guys do your research before you rant? Isn’t it hard?! That’s what they did to Caster Semenya.
— Lilz (@LillzTIL) August 1, 2024
Iman Khalif is an amateur boxer who won a silver medal at the International Boxing Association’s 2022 World Championships. Khalif is one of two boxers who have been allowed to fight at the Olympics despite being disqualified from last year’s women’s world championships for allegedly failing a gender eligibility test.
According to the Associated Press, the International Boxing Association disqualified Iman from last year’s championships due to elevated testosterone levels just before the Algerian’s gold medal bout. Khalif will now play in a quarterfinal bout against Hungary’s Anna Luka Hamori on Saturday.
