Algerian Olympic Chief Blames Controversy on Zionist Lobby

The head of Algeria’s Olympic Committee has attributed the ongoing controversy surrounding boxer Imane Khelif to “the Zionist lobby.” This statement follows the International Boxing Association's (IBA) decision to disqualify Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting from the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships due to gender test results indicating they possess XY chromosomes. IBA President Umar Kremlev confirmed that these findings led to their exclusion from competition, raising questions about gender eligibility in sports. Yacine Arab, the Algerian Olympic Committee head, expressed his belief that external forces are attempting to undermine Khelif’s achievements. He stated, “The Zionist lobby wants to break Khelif’s spirit, but she is strong,” suggesting that there is a broader agenda against Arab and Muslim women in sports. Khelif herself has remained resolute amid the controversy, declaring her identity as a female and dedicating her recent victory to the Arab world. The IBA has reiterated its stance, emphasizing that Khelif was disqualified based on the results of the gender tests, which indicated she did not meet the eligibility criteria for female competitors. The organization highlighted concerns regarding competitive fairness and athlete safety, particularly in light of differing regulations from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC has stated that as long as Khelif and Lin Yu-ting identify as women on their passports, they are eligible to compete in women’s categories, complicating the ongoing debate over gender identity in sports.