Martina Navratilova shocked by Imane Khelif's votes for female athlete of the year

In August 2023, Algeria's Imane Khelif secured a gold medal in boxing at the Paris Olympics, stirring controversy as she had previously failed gender tests. Despite being disqualified from women's competitions early that year, Khelif was permitted to compete at the Olympics under the International Olympic Committee's regulations, which only required participants to present their passports. Khelif's successful performance at the games led to her receiving four votes for the Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year, placing her third in the rankings behind WNBA star Caitlin Clark and U.S. gymnast Simone Biles. The decision sparked significant backlash from various quarters, particularly women's sports advocates and notable figures like tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who expressed disbelief at Khelif's inclusion in the female athlete category due to her biological underpinnings being questioned. Critics argued that allowing athletes with male XY chromosomes to compete in women's sports undermines the integrity of women's competitions. Khelif's story gained heightened visibility and became a point of contention in discussions surrounding transgender athletes in competitive sports, drawing attention to the discrepancies between different sporting governing bodies' criteria concerning gender eligibility. The outrage surrounding this situation was amplified through social media, with many calling on the Associated Press to reassess their award nominations. Ultimately, the inclusion of Khelif in the ranking illuminated broader societal debates on gender fluidity, fairness in sports, and the policies organizations implement to navigate these complex issues.