Algerian boxer Imane Khelif got caught up in controversy after her opponent, Angela Carini from Italy, suddenly walked away from their fight at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Even though Khelif was born female and identifies as a woman, her participation in the match stirred up a lot of debate.
Now, her father has finally spoken out.
On August 1, during Khelif’s boxing match with Carini, the fight unexpectedly ended when the Italian boxer left the ring early, saying she was experiencing “severe pain” in her nose.
After her opponent left the match, Imane Khelif was automatically declared the winner. But, some people think she shouldn’t compete against other women because she was disqualified from the 2023 world championships for having high testosterone levels.
Imane’s father, Amar Khelif, defended her, expressing pride in her achievements. He said, “Having such a daughter is an honor because she is a champion. She made me proud, and I encourage her. I hope she wins a medal in Paris.” He also mentioned that Imane has loved sports since she was 6 years old.
To clear up any doubts about her gender, Amar Khelif showed an official document that says, “Imane Khelif, female,” dated May 2, 1999. He insisted that this document is the truth.
The controversy led Angela Carini, the Italian boxer, to apologize to Khelif on August 2. She told an Italian news outlet that she was sorry for what happened and that she respects the decision allowing Khelif to fight. Carini explained that she didn’t mean for things to turn out this way and apologized to Khelif and everyone else.
Imane Khelif also spoke out, asking people to stop bullying athletes. She told SNTV, “Bullying can destroy people’s spirits and minds. It can divide people, and that’s why I’m asking everyone to stop doing it.”
Despite all the controversy, Khelif’s story shows the tough challenges athletes face when they’re under public scrutiny. Her father’s support and her own request for kindness remind us how important it is to show respect and understanding in sports.
As the debate goes on, Khelif is still focused on her goal of succeeding in the Olympics and making her family and country proud. The journey hasn’t been easy, but with her father’s encouragement and her own determination, she aims to overcome these challenges and continue on her path as a champion.
Boy Stuns Prom in Red Ballgown and Lipstick – Teachers Can’t Hold Back the Tears
A boy named Korben dreamed of wearing a ball gown to prom from a young age. Four years later, his parents made that dream come true. When Korben showed up in his red ball gown and lipstick, his teachers and classmates were moved to tears.
Prom is a special event marking the end of high school, and everyone wants it to be memorable. Korben, who is 16, had an unforgettable night thanks to his supportive mom. She shared pictures of his prom outfit on Twitter, and her post quickly went viral. Many celebrities and fans liked and shared it, celebrating Korben’s unique and heartfelt choice.
Korben’s mom, Nina Green, shared that her son had always loved wearing dresses. As a teenager, he even performed as the “sassy” drag queen Miss Frou Frou. But for prom night, Korben had a new idea.
He wanted to attend prom as himself, but in a dress. This way, he could show off his feminine side while being true to who he is. Nina explained:
“He wanted to be himself, combining his masculine and feminine sides. He planned to wear a tuxedo on top and a dress on the bottom, inspired by Billy Porter.”
When Korben arrived at his school prom, wearing his unique outfit, everyone went wild with excitement. His classmates and teachers at Archbishop Sancroft High School in Harleston, Norfolk, cheered loudly for him.
Nina Green shared that many teachers were emotional as they watched Korben step out of the car. They were moved by his bravery and confidence. Nina said, “As soon as he got out of the car, everyone started cheering, and I was crying. Some of the teachers were crying too because he was being true to himself.”
Korben had asked to wear a dress to his prom when he was just 12, and his parents made sure to remember his request. When prom night arrived, they helped him get ready just the way he wanted and supported him both in person and online.
Korben looked fantastic in his ball gown, which had a flowing skirt, a sparkly jacket, a bow tie, and a matching small bag. Nina, his mom, took lots of photos of him before he left for prom and shared them on Twitter to show her support.
Nina Green was thrilled to share Korben’s prom look on Twitter and tagged Billy Porter and Michelle Visage from “RuPaul’s Drag Race” to get their opinions. Michelle Visage responded with excitement, saying, “Ohhhhhhhh yes! You are an amazing, beautiful mom and your child is a STAR.”
Michelle wasn’t the only one impressed. The tweet quickly went viral, with many people praising Korben’s fabulous prom outfit and expressing how happy they were for him.
Since Nina Green’s post about Korben’s prom outfit was shared, it has received over 4,000 retweets, more than 8,000 comments, and over 110,000 likes from celebrities and everyday people alike. One admirer commented:
“Looks fabulous! I absolutely love the gown/tux combo. I hope my son is still as confident and comfortable with himself at that age. Never lose your sparkle.”
Kirk Wills, who implied they made the dress, added, “I couldn’t be more proud of Korben; he rocked the look without a doubt. It was an honor to make this subtle look for his big night and see him rock his entrance.”
Although there were some negative comments, many people defended Korben. One fan responded, “Some people should have listened to their parents or grandparents: ‘If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all.’ If he wants to wear a dress, then that’s his choice, and his choice only. He’s not harming anyone.”
Korben’s mother, Nina, later shared her gratitude in a post, admitting she hadn’t expected such a positive response when she first shared the pictures. She wrote:
“The support and positivity have been overwhelming and have completely overshadowed the few negative comments, which we ignore. It’s his life, and I’m letting him live it.”
Korben realized how important it was to have the courage to be himself. He said, “It sends a message—you can be who you want to be.”
The following day, Nina and Korben attended Pride in London. There, a fan approached them, recognizing Korben as the boy in the red dress and telling him he was “amazing.”
These moments became unforgettable memories for Korben as he moved on to the next chapter in his life. Through this experience, Korben’s parents demonstrated the importance of allowing children to be themselves without imposing their own beliefs.
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