Olympic boxer’s dad reveals son’s delivery certificates after IBO chief mentioned show it
Imane Khelif’s dad has shown her birth certificate on TV amid the Olympics gender boxing row.
It comes after IBA chief Umar Kremlev, alongside CEO Chris Roberts, demanded Khelif and Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu-ting prove they were born women.
The Algerian fighter is guaranteed a medal in the women’s 66kg weight class. But she has caused much debate after being disqualified from last year’s world championships, the Sun reports.
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Khelif and Yu-ting were were at the centre of controversy at the World Championships in Delhi after a failed gender test saw them unable to compete. However, the Olympics allowed their inclusion.
(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
With both guaranteed at least bronze, Kremlev’s doubled down on the IBA’s ruling that the pair should not be allowed to compete.
He said: “The tests show they were men. We don’t verify what they have between their legs.
“We don’t know if they were born like that, or if some changes were made. The second tests confirmed the first tests. If people have doubts, refer to them. They can make their own tests.”
However, there was confusion as Kremlev discussed raised testosterone levels and Roberts referenced a chromosome test, reports the Mirror.
(Image: BFMTV)
“We got the test results that they allowed us to make and these test results show they have high levels of testosterone, like men,” Kremlev added.
Roberts said: “The results of the chromosome tests demonstrated both boxers were ineligible.”
He went on to slam the International Olympic Committee (IOC), saying: “They have not done anything with it because they rely on own criteria which is basically the passport.”
Khelif, who stirred up a storm with a speedy first-round win over Italian Angela Carini, hit back with a statement before stepping into the ring to face Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng.
(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
She expressed: “I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects.
“It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying.
“I am in contact with my family two days a week. I hope that they weren’t affected deeply. They are worried about me. God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal, and that would be the best response.”
Her father, Omar told BFMTV, via Bild : “My child is a girl. She was raised as a girl. She is a strong girl. I raised her to work hard and be brave. She has a strong will to work and train.”
(Image: BFMTV)
He added: “The Italian opponent who fought against her was simply not able to beat my daughter. Because my daughter was stronger and she was too weak.”
He also held up Khelif’s birth certificate, explaining: “She is a woman, we have all the evidence, including her birth certificate.”
Omar previously hit out at the “immoral and unfair treatment” of his daughter whilst showing pictures of her as a child.
His TV appearance comes after the IBA press conference on Monday.
IBA chief Chris Roberts told reporters to “read between the lines” as he revealed that details of the gender tests will not be released.
Khelif will face either Chen Nien-chin of Chinese Taipei or China’s Yang Liu for the gold medal if she beats Suwannapheng on Thursday.
