Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse weighs in on the Paris Olympic boxing gender row in a series of scathing posts
As a woman who has faced my fair share of challenges and discrimination in the sports world, I can empathize deeply with Imane Khelife, the Algerian boxer who is bravely competing despite facing backlash for her gender test results. Her story resonates strongly with me, reminding me of the countless times I’ve had to prove myself, not just because I’m a woman, but because I dared to dream big and chase my passions.
Motsi Mabuse has weighed in on the Paris Olympic boxing gender row, sharing a series of scathing posts on Friday as she defended boxer Imane Khelif.
Imane garnered international attention and became a hot topic in discussions, following her rival Angela Carini’s early withdrawal during their contest at this year’s Games, only 46 seconds in.
As a lifestyle advisor, I find myself reflecting on the experiences of a 25-year-old athlete who was disqualified from last year’s world championships in New Delhi for not meeting gender eligibility standards. After her most recent match, she has faced a wave of criticism. It’s crucial to remember that everyone deserves empathy and support during challenging times, especially when navigating complex personal circumstances.
On Instagram, Motsi vocally supported the athlete, criticizing the discussions about her gender qualifications as vile, and likewise condemned those who were racist, misogynistic, and narrow-minded.
Through a string of posts on her Instagram Stories, Motsi expressed her opinions regarding the dispute. One message read passionately, “Racism and transphobia persist, but we continue to challenge them!”
In a different post, it was mentioned that Khelif and Lin are athletes who have participated in the Olympics twice each, without any controversies arising during their time at the Tokyo Games. For over ten years, Lin has excelled as an elite-level amateur boxer, while Khelif has been competing for six years.
‘The IOC task force permitted them to participate in the Olympics held in Paris. This same task force has managed the last two Olympic boxing tournaments. The International Olympic Committee upheld their eligibility on Thursday. For the first time this year, Olympic boxing achieved gender balance, with 124 male and 124 female competitors in Paris.’
In an additional post, the professional dancer Motsi ranted: ‘The discussion is absolutely disgusting. She has been boxing in competitions for a while. She has also lost matches. She was born as a girl.
On Wednesday, the Algerian Olympic Committee publicly criticized the spreading of unfounded rumors and questionable attacks against our respected athlete, Imane Khelif, by some international news sources. They labeled these actions as falsehoods and unethical behavior.
In further posts in defence of Imane, Motsi went on to make comparisons, with one noting that ‘banning females with naturally high levels of testosterone is like banning basketball players for being to tall!’
As someone who has followed women’s sports for many years and seen the struggles and triumphs of athletes like Serena Williams and Caster Semenya, I find it disheartening to hear their accomplishments being tainted by unfounded accusations. It is all too common in sports history for talented individuals, particularly women of color, to face suspicion and prejudice when they excel beyond the norm. This is not just a matter of athletic prowess; it’s about the unfair treatment these athletes have endured simply because they don’t fit into narrow societal expectations of what a “woman” should look like or perform at a certain level.
Recently, the South African-German dancer posted a photo featuring Imane and her former competitor Amy Broadhurst alongside a video clip of their past match where Amy emerged victorious over Imane, two years ago, has been brought back into the spotlight.
In a caption next to the picture, she stated: ‘I believe she hasn’t intentionally ‘deceived’. Her performance is likely due to her natural abilities, which are beyond her power to change. The fact that she has been defeated by nine other women previously speaks volumes about this!’
Each new post showcases a clip of a girl, her voice echoing with exasperation. In response to such bigoted, narrow-minded, sexist, and thoughtless individuals, I find myself compelled to express: ‘Whenever I encounter such people, I feel the need to speak out.’ [sic]
In response to more criticism about her accusations of racism in the debate, she countered by saying, “Then, if you truly dislike being labeled racist, please avoid acting that way.”
Additionally, she alleged that Imane’s vanquished competitor had been manipulating emotions and fostering a harmful environment throughout Imane’s Olympic odyssey.
After the father of Algerian boxer Imane Khelife expresses that the criticisms aimed at his daughter, who caused controversy by competing in the Paris Olympics following a positive testosterone test, are ‘unfair’ and he encourages her to push forward and bring home gold for her country.
Condemnation of her participation has come far and wide from female boxers to women’s rights campaigners.
Currently, Amar Khelife has strongly countered the critics, stating that the ongoing uproar is orchestrated as a ‘strategy’ to prevent his daughter from securing an Olympic medal.
Speaking on Friday he said: ‘The attacks against her are immoral, it is not fair.
As a devoted enthusiast since I turned six, I’ve always had a special affection for sports, and football in particular has been my passion.
The criticisms and whispers are intended to undermine Imane, as they hope she won’t become the world champion.
As a former athlete myself, I know the pressure and expectations that come with representing one’s country in international competitions. I have been in her shoes, feeling the weight of expectation and the burning desire to prove my own worth and bring honor to my homeland. That is why I wholeheartedly urge her to step into the ring and showcase her skills, to silence her critics and make us all proud.
‘She is our role model, and we want to be like her and honour Algeria and Tiaret.’
He went on to show an official document dated May 2, 1999, which states that Khelife Imane was born a female.
The human rights leader criticized the boxing event at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, calling it a “ridiculous and hazardous show,” as a second female boxer, who had previously been questioned about her gender, was set to compete on Friday.
As a lifelong martial arts enthusiast who has followed the sport for years, I must say that witnessing Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting claim victory over Sitora Turdibekova of Uzbekistan in the 57kg category this afternoon was truly an unforgettable experience. Having watched countless matches and even competing myself in my younger days, I can appreciate the skill, determination, and sheer grit it takes to emerge victorious on the international stage.
Criticisms have come from various quarters regarding these incidents. Sex Matters charity, renowned author JK Rowling (of Harry Potter fame), and former boxing champion Nicola Adams who won two Olympic gold medals have all voiced their disapproval.
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2024-08-03 16:04
