Donald Trump caught spreading misinformation about Algeria’s Imane Khelif amidst Olympics boxing controversy

Imane Khelif just wanted to box her way to glory. She wanted to achieve her lifelong dream of becoming a champion in the sport and bring glory for her nation. However, her abandoned round of 16 bout became an international storyline. Enough for many to discredit the hard work she has put in all these years. Now it seems, Donald Trump has joined in the controversy that started at the Paris Olympics 2024.

The former US President was in Atlanta, Georgia, as part of his Presidential campaign. Considering the Republican’s stance on LGBTQIA+, he used the reference of Imane Khelif to justify their stance.

Now all you have to do is look at the boxers. This young girl from Italy, a champion boxer. She got hit so hard she did not know what the hell hit her. It's a person who that transitioned. He was a good male boxer. And she didn't even go down. He hit her with two jabs, and she said, 'I'm out'.

Donald Trump said per Fox News

The billionaire was essentially lying to the gathered audience. With the elections just a few months away, he was looking to garner as much support as he could.

The IOC, her father as well as Algeria have come forward to clarify that Imane Khelif is a woman by birth. Therefore, she is eligible to participate in the women’s boxing events at the Paris Olympics 2024. But it seems that the former President ignored the facts and proceeded to use the situation to his advantage.

The International Boxing Association had disqualified Khelif in last year’s World Championship. However, it did not suggest that the Algerian is a male transgender. With all the controversy stemming from the incident, it seems nothing has fazed the 25-year-old.

Imane Khelif reaches the medal rounds of Paris Olympics 2024

It seemed as if the whole world was against her. But Imane Khelif did not allow the distractions to throw away what she has trained so long for. The Algerian went into the quarter final bout against Hungary’s Luca Anna Hamori knowing that she had a chance to make history at the Olympics. She did exactly that after winning the bout on points 5:0.

With that win, she stamped her name into the semifinal round, where she will face Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand. If Kheif wins, she will at least earn a silver. If she loses, she could still win a bronze. Either way, Khelif has done enough for a woman who comes from a village in the northwest part of her country.

Donald Trump might use the ignorance of many to trump up support for his second Presidential bid. But Imane Khelif is looking to educate everyone across the world of what a woman can do, even if she has the entire world against her.

In case you missed:

• Julien Alfred shocks the world by humbling USA’s Sha’carri Richardson in 100m final, wins St. Lucia’s first medal in Olympics history
• ‘Shocked’ Alex Walsh left heartbroken after getting disqualified and stripped off 200m IM medal, Summer McIntosh continues to script history

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