NBJC Condemns Sex Discrimination, Bullying, and Harassment of Algerian Olympic Women’s Boxer Imane Khelif
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com
ILLINOIS – After the targeted sex discrimination, bullying, and harassment of Algerian Olympic women’s boxer Imane Khelif at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Dr. David J. Johns, CEO and Executive Director of the National Black Justice Collective (NBJC), a leading civil rights organization, issued the following statement:
“NBJC stands in solidarity with Imane Khelif, the Algerian Olympic women’s boxer who has been the target of sex discrimination and accused of being a man based on the naturally occurring level of testosterone in her body and outdated gender expectations privileging European standards. Simply put, Imane Khelif and the other athletes being targeted met the criteria to compete in the Olympics. They deserve to compete as much as every other athlete who trained, prepared, and qualified for the most significant opportunity in their sport. An opportunity now dampened by internet trolls and evangelical zealots consumed with ignorance and a disregard for how weaponized hate can threaten one’s livelihood and life.
“This moment, sparked by author JK Rowling, is a reminder that Black and other non-white women are often the prime targets of transphobic and racist individuals and actions designed to diminish their achievements and wipe white tears. Instead of educating themselves on the diverse expressions of sex characteristics that encompass womanhood and femaleness, they perpetuate harmful stereotypes and discriminatory practices designed to exclude, divide, and conquer. The attack on Khelif is not an isolated experience; we have witnessed similar attacks on athletes like Brittney Griner during this week’s Olympic women’s basketball games, Serena Williams faced harassment and discriminatory drug testing throughout her extraordinary career in Tennis (four times more often than her peers), and Olympian Caster Semenya continues to have her health and life impacted by poorly written policies on the natural chemistry of her body.
“Olympians strive to compete against the best to prove themselves as the best in the world. Each athlete possesses unique attributes that aid and challenge their pursuit of excellence. No athlete should be targeted or excluded because of others’ biases, harmful stereotypes, or outdated definitions of womanhood. No person should be targeted or excluded because of stereotypes, biases, and discrimination rooted in white supremacy.
“We must move beyond these prejudices and recognize the diversity and complexity of women athletes. Sports governing bodies must implement fair and inclusive policies that honor the spirit of competition and respect the identities of all athletes. We applaud the Olympics for continuing to let Imane Khelif and others compete despite the unjust and misinformed distractions of others.”