Boxer Imane Khelif, Who Sparked A Gender Controversy In Paris, Surprises With Her New Look.***

Boxer Imane Khelif, suspected of being gay, has teamed up with a female makeup company after winning a gold medal in the 66kg category at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

In a video shared with the Instagram account @beauty.code.officiel on August 15, Khelif appeared strong and threw familiar punches towards the camera.

But when the scene changed, the Algerian boxer changed her appearance by wearing heavy makeup, a pink dress, earrings, pink lipstick and a 2024 Paris Olympic gold medal around her neck.

Imane Khelif changed her appearance after winning the gold medal in the women’s 66kg category at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

The video also included a message in which Khelif responded to the doubts and criticism that had been directed at her during the Games in France. “Because of the medals, she has no time to waste in beauty parlours or shopping. She has never felt the need to conform to these standards to prove herself,” the message read.

The article continues: “Just as a moustache does not define a man, so dresses, hair extensions and makeup do not define a woman. Khelif does not change her appearance to fit the stereotypes of the world, but the message is much deeper. That clothes do not make a monk, and appearance does not reveal the essence of a person. Khelif can be feminine and elegant when she wants to, but in the ring, she does not need makeup or high heels. All she needs is tactics, strength and the ability to strike, that is the essence of Khelif’s character.”

Imane Khelif won the women’s 66kg boxing gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo: AP

Khelif had a turbulent Olympics, facing criticism from fans as well as celebrities such as former US President Donald Trump, Harry Potter author JK Rowling and billionaire Elon Musk.

The source of the controversy was when the Algerian boxer was disqualified from the 2023 women’s world championship final for having high testosterone levels, exceeding the standard. The International Boxing Association (IBA) stepped in, conducted DNA tests and discovered that Khelif had XY chromosomes. The organization said that she “had an advantage over other women”.

However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) still allows Khelif to compete at Paris 2024 as a female athlete, by verifying her gender through her passport and medical documents, similar to the methods used at Tokyo 2020 and many other international tournaments.

Khelif dominated the competition, defeating Angela Carini (Italy), Anna Luca Hamori (Hungary) and Janjaem Suwannapheng (Thailand) to advance to the final. Here, she also defeated Chinese athlete Yang Liu, thereby helping Algeria win its first gold medal in history at the i Olympics . Khelif wins women’s 66kg final at Paris 2024 Olympics.

“I am absolutely qualified to compete in the women’s event at the Olympics,” Khelif responded to the controversy after returning home from Paris. “I am a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman, and I have lived as a woman. I compete as a woman – there is no doubt about that.”

The 25-year-old boxer was scared, hurt and heavily affected by criticism from many politicians and celebrities, and felt lucky to overcome the pressure to win the gold medal. Khelif also filed a complaint with the French authorities for online harassment.