LONDON: YouTuber Logan Paul has deleted a controversial post on X that claimed Algerian Olympic boxer Iman Khelief was a man.
Khelief was at the center of a bitter row after her opponent in the women's 66kg quarter-final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Italy's Angelo Corini, retired after just 46 seconds.
Karini broke down in tears as she refused to shake Helif's hand, and later said she had “never felt as hard a punch as the two Helif took before the end of the fight.
Khelief's inclusion in the Olympics sparked controversy after she was disqualified from the 2023 World Boxing Championships in New Delhi for not meeting the International Boxing Association's gender eligibility criteria.
The IBA did not reveal why she failed the test, but said she had not been tested for testosterone. Taiwan's Lin Yu Ting was also disqualified for not meeting the criteria.
After Karina's fight ended, Paul posted on X: “This is the purest form of evil unfolding before our eyes.” He added: “A man was allowed to beat a woman on the world stage by destroying her life's dream fighting for her dead father. This delusion must end.”
However, after other users reported that Helif did not identify as male, transgender or intersex, Paul deleted the post and wrote: “Unfortunately, I may be guilty of spreading misinformation along with this whole app. Although she was previously disqualified for failing a “gender test” and having XY chromosomes, some sources say Imane Khelief was born a biological female.
“I stand by my opinion that biological males should not compete against biological females in any sport.”
Paul also posted a poll on X asking, “Is my opinion that men should not be allowed to compete with women transphobic?”
In a statement, the International Olympic Committee defended Khelif's participation, saying: “Towards the end of the 2023 IBA World Championships, they (Khelif and Lin) were suddenly disqualified without due process.
“According to the IBA's protocols available on their website, this decision was initially taken solely by the IBA General Secretary and CEO.”
The IOC added: “The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was taken without due process, especially given that these athletes have been competing at the highest level for many years.
“The IOC is saddened by the abuse that the two athletes are now being subjected to. Everyone has the right to do sports without discrimination.”
