Hungarian boxer Anna Luca Hamori has publicly voiced her dissatisfaction with her upcoming quarter-final opponent, Imane Khelif of Algeria, in the 66 kg boxing category at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Hamori, 23, expressed her concerns on social media, questioning the fairness of Khelif’s participation in the women’s division.
Hamori, who has previously competed at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games and won silver at the 2022 European Championships, took to ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) to voice her frustration. She described it as unfair for Khelif to compete in the women’s category and vowed to give her all in the match despite her reservations. “In my humble opinion, I don’t think it’s fair that this contestant can compete in the women’s category. But I cannot concern myself with that now. I cannot change it, it’s life. I can promise you one thing… I will do my best to win and I will fight as long as I can!” Hamori wrote.
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Khelif’s eligibility has been contentious. Last year, she, along with Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, was disqualified from the Women’s World Championships by the Russia-led International Boxing Association (IBA) after failing gender eligibility tests. Both athletes were stripped of their medals and barred from women’s competition to ensure fairness.
However, with the IBA stripped of its status as the sport’s global governing body by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) last June, the IOC has cleared Khelif and Lin to compete in the Olympics based on the gender listed on their passports. This decision has led to significant backlash.
IOC To Revisit The Decision
The Hungarian Boxing Association and the Hungarian Olympic Committee have protested against Khelif’s participation, urging the IOC to revisit the decision. They argue that allowing Khelif to compete undermines the principles of fair competition in women’s boxing.
Bulgarian boxer Svetlana Kamenova Staneva, who is set to face Lin in her quarter-final match, has also expressed concerns over the fairness of the competition. Supported by the Bulgarian Boxing Federation, Staneva criticized the situation, suggesting it casts a shadow over women’s boxing.
The controversy has sparked wider debate, with Kheireddine Barbari, head of the Algerian delegation, condemning the campaign against Khelif as “immoral” and filing a formal complaint with the IOC.
The IOC has defended its decision, citing procedural issues with the IBA’s disqualification process and reaffirming that Khelif and Lin’s eligibility is in line with their passport gender. The ongoing dispute continues to stir controversy as the Olympic Games progress.
