Saudi ambassador, IOC member Princess Reema calls for an end to criticism of Algerian boxer Imane Khelifa
LONDON: Saudi Arabia's ambassador to the US said on Saturday that media criticism of Algerian Olympic gold medalist boxer Imane Khelif had to stop and that “kindness and human dignity must always prevail”.
Princess Reema bint Bandar addressed the 142nd Session of the International Olympic Committee in Paris as a member of the IOC and an official in its Commission on Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
But she said she spoke as “a woman, a Muslim and an Arab woman” in the case of the abuse Khelif faced.
She continued: “As such, I cannot in good conscience serve on this committee and remain silent about the media commentary on Imane Khelif.
“I would like to say today that I wholeheartedly support (IOC President) Thomas Bach and everyone who communicated the joint statement of the Paris 2024 boxing squad and the IOC statement of August 1.”
The Algerian won the gold medal amid a stormy run in Paris, where she faced intense scrutiny inside and outside the ring and online abuse from around the world over misconceptions about her femininity.
“From my point of view the facts are clear, Khelif is a woman,” Princess Reema said. “She was born a girl and lived her whole life as a woman. However, despite this joint statement, there has been constant distortion based on misinformation that has caused immeasurable pain, and this is not only unacceptable, but absolutely heartbreaking,” she added.
The ambassador said that from humble roots in rural Algeria, Khelif worked as hard as any other Olympic athlete, with “determination, bravery and perseverance” to earn the right to compete in front of the world.
Princess Reema bint Bandar addressed the 142nd Session of the International Olympic Committee in Paris as a member of the IOC and an official in its Commission on Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. (Supplied)
“As is the nature of Olympians, she represents the highest ability and capacity, and that is what makes these games so spectacular and what makes Paris so spectacular. But no one has the right to deny her her womanhood and continuing to push false narratives is an attempt to rob her of her dignity and her merits,” said Princess Reema.
“So I stand here today before his esteemed committee and say this cannot go on. Female Olympians are the elite, they train to be the best of the best. And it's a collective failure of all of us that we're still having this conversation, so I think it's more important than ever.
The princess said that if a woman remained silent, she would be seen as receiving the wrong message or as weak, but if she spoke up, she would be seen as defensive.
“I believe athletes should focus on their performance, not justify their existence,” she told the committee.
“No athlete should be bullied or ridiculed for their looks, no athlete should be weaponized for their wins, talents or achievements they have developed throughout their life, because what overshadows looks is talent.
“These Olympics are a time to celebrate diversity, with athletes coming from all corners of the world. But ladies and gentlemen, you know, women don't look, speak or act individually, and each woman who plays her respective sport is unique. The only community is the determination to get to the top,” she added.
The Saudi princess said after Khelif's quarter-final win as she fell to her knees in tears, “every woman who has ever felt isolated, ridiculed her or told her she didn't belong; they fell with her. And when she got up, they got up with her.”
She added that she offered her full support not only to the IOC and the “bold and courageous statements they have made,” but also to “every woman who has been subjected to unnecessary criticism at a time when she should be shining and reaping.”
She continued: “I'm asking the general public and humanity to look at the female athletes and look at what they endured and ask yourselves: What was your daughter? What if it was your girlfriend or relative? Your words matter and our behavior matters.
“And for any girl who thinks she sits just a little bit outside the box or outside the norm, when you see a racket, pick it up; if you see a soccer ball, kick it; and when you see the track, run as fast as you can.'
