Imane Khelif blasts Donald Trump and warns she’s coming to USA to defend Olympic gold

Imane Khelif has vowed to defend her Olympic title in Los Angeles in 2028, insisting she will not be intimidated by United States president Donald Trump.

The 25-year-old boxer won gold for Algeria at the Paris Olympics last summer in the women’s welterweight category.

While she was cleared to compete in the French capital by the International Olympic Committee, her triumphs were under constant scrutiny after she was disqualified from the 2023  Women’s World Championships for allegedly failing International Boxing Association (IBA) gender eligibility rules.

The IBA, an organisation now widely discredited, could not provide any evidence to their claims with test results never published.

Khelif has always competed in the women’s boxing division and has identified as female since birth.

During her thrilling campaign in Paris, Khelif was targeted with online abuse with J.K. Rowling and Elon Musk among those named in a lawsuit filed to French authorities.

Trump has also repeatedly referred to Khelif as a ‘man’.

With LA set to host the next Olympics, Khelif has confirmed her plans to stay in the amateur ranks as she bids to join an exclusive club alongside Nicola Adams, Claressa Shields and Kellie Harrington – the only three women to have won two Olympic gold medals in boxing.

Khelif told ITV News: ‘I will give you a straightforward answer: The US President issued a decision related to transgender policies in America.

‘I am not transgender. This does not concern me, and it does not intimidate me. That is my response.

‘This experience has taught me a lot. I believe that if the old Imane operated at 50% of her potential, then the Imane Khalif of today is even more motivated and determined.

‘I have learned so much from this campaign against me, and what happened at the Paris Olympics was an eye-opening experience.

‘I feel even stronger now than I was before.’

She continued: ‘I won the gold medal, which was the best response after all the bullying I was subjected to.

‘My response during the Paris Olympics was always in the ring. And responding by winning the gold medal was even better.

‘I believe the gold medal at the Paris Olympics was the best medal of the entire Games. It was a victory that held significance on every level—ethical, athletic, and even in terms of sportsmanship.’

IOC president Thomas Bach, who will step down from his post later this year, this week insisted the furore over Khelif’s Paris campaign was the result of a ‘fake news campaign coming from Russia.’.

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