Imane Khelif becomes the most-searched athlete amid Olympic controversy

The controversy surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif intensified during the 2024 Olympic Games held in Paris. Khelif, who had previously been banned from the International Boxing Association competitions for allegedly testing positive for male XY chromosomes, was allowed to compete in the women's boxing category at the Olympics. This decision prompted significant public outcry following her first bout against Italian boxer Angela Carini. Fans and critics alike were disturbed by the performance of Khelif, who won her match in just 46 seconds, prompting Carini to claim she had never faced such a hard hitter in her career. This led to national and international debates regarding Khelif's biological status and her eligibility to compete in women's events. Shortly after, details emerged that Khelif was more biologically male than female, including having internal testes and characteristics consistent with a 5-alpha reductase deficiency, a condition only found in males. These revelations suggested that Khelif's initial disqualification from the IBA was perhaps justified, further complicating the conversation on gender identity and fairness in sports. Following these events, Google reported that Khelif became the most searched athlete for 2024, outpacing well-known figures like Simone Biles and Jake Paul, highlighting the lasting impact of this controversy on public interest and discourse surrounding athletics and gender issues.