FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
Imane Khelif has faced criticism, ridicule (bullying) for her participation in the women's boxing competition, despite the International Olympic Committee (IOC) confirming that she complies with the competition's regulations. The furore only grew after she beat Italy's Angela Carini in just 46 seconds on Thursday (August 1).
Khelif, who advances to the women's 66kg semi-final after her victory over Hungary's Anna Luca Hamori, has called for an end to the harassment, Sky Sports reported.
In an interview with SNTV, in Arabic, Khelif said: "I send a message to all the people of the world to respect the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, big effects.
It can destroy people, it can kill people's thoughts, soul and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying.”
The victories of Khelif and fellow boxer Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan in the ring in Paris have become one of the biggest stories of the Paris Games. Both women have won their first Olympic medals despite facing online abuse, with unsubstantiated claims about their gender, drawing them into a wider divide over changing attitudes to gender identity and regulations in sport. .
The 25-year-old Khelif acknowledged the pressure and pain of enduring the ordeal while competing away from home in the most important event of her athletic career.
"I am in contact with my family two days a week. I hope they are not deeply affected," she said. "They are worried about me. God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal and that would be the best response."
Lini një Përgjigje