Imane Khelif and her defiant victory over the norm

“Mannish,” “masculine,” and “tomboy” are just a few of the derogatory labels some use to describe girls with large physiques, or any girl who behaves outside the conventional expectations of femininity. Who among us hasn’t heard—or even used—them at some point? Who among us has heard it at some point and felt something inside her break, leading her to abandon something she once loved to do? What if Imane Khelif had withdrawn from the Olympic competition after facing such criticisms regarding her "femininity" or "masculinity"?

The participation of women in the Paris 2024 Olympics was unprecedented in terms of gender balance, with a 50% participation rate. However, several female athletes faced harsh attacks this year under the guise of "not being feminine enough" in a way that does not conform to the prevailing stereotypical standards of femininity. This culturally charged hatred directed at these women following their honorable victories wasn't the first time; women have always been the target of criticism.

One comment on a post criticizing Imane Khelif reads: "But she looks like a man," as if men must conform to his own limited vision of masculinity, only rooted in chromosomes. Yet, Imane Khelif went on to win the gold medal in the women's boxing event at the Olympics, becoming the first Arab woman to achieve this feat in boxing, alongside another Algerian female athlete, Kaylia Nemour, who is the first African and Arab gymnast to win an Olympic medal.

Ongoing hatred between the East and the West

The hatred and animosity faced by Imane Khelif spread from Western media towards the Algerian boxer due to overlapping policies sparked by the Italian Prime Minister’s remarks about France that almost reached the UN Security Council. Trump then carried it across screens, from the West to the East, under the label "a transgender athlete competing in women's boxing."

Imane, who was subjected to extensive criticism from both the East and the West, chose the image of the woman she wanted, defeating the stereotypical image women are regularly forced to adopt. This image has long been shaped by commercial policies, political rhetoric, and consumer trends.

Imane, who was subjected to extensive criticism from both the East and the West, chose the image of the woman she wanted, defeating the stereotypical image women are regularly forced to adopt. This image has long been shaped by commercial policies, political rhetoric, and consumer trends.

Imane did not withdraw or quit; rather, she aimed to challenge all the notions about women participating in boxing. She sought to earn her victory from an Arab society that saw her as merely a large-bodied girl engaging in a tough sport outside the norm, and from a Western society that viewed her as a Muslim girl from the outskirts of Algiers.

From her modest home in rural Algeria, and under difficult conditions, Imane worked with determination and resolve, defying the criticisms faced by women who choose tough or extreme sports.

A conservative society plagued by homophobia, which imposes varied judgments on men and women, and anyone who deviates from the prevailing customs and norms, suddenly turned against the colonial policies that insulted a Muslim Algerian woman, thus shifting the narrative. Stereotypes of the proud, virtuous, and slender Arab woman faded as Imane used her entire body as a tool for victory against global policies hidden behind the Olympics.

A conservative Arab society that imposes varied judgments on men and women and anyone who deviates from the prevailing customs and norms, suddenly turned against the colonial policies that insulted a Muslim Algerian woman, thus shifting the narrative.

The irony here lies in the dual reversal that took place: the transformation of Western society, which suddenly adopted a fluid standard of femininity that shifts with its political winds. This Western society fights homophobia in various fields yet stands against women who have great physical strength or those from different religious, racial, and cultural backgrounds in the Olympics. Using international policies, it questions these women: "Who are you?" On the other hand, we have seen the transformation of Arab society, which suddenly abandoned its rejection of gender transitions and stereotypical images of women. It stood up to defend its "daughter," perhaps because she is Muslim, or simply out of spite, or because they saw her victory as a collective triumph.

The participation of women in the Paris 2024 Olympics was unprecedented in terms of gender balance, with a 50% participation rate. However, several female athletes faced harsh attacks this year under the guise of "not being feminine enough" in a way that does not conform to the prevailing stereotypical standards of femininity. This included American rugby player Ilona Maher, who was labeled as "transgender" after her team's bronze medal win, and American swimmer Katie Ledecky, who won the gold medal but was accused of being a "transgender man."

This culturally charged hatred directed at these women following their honorable victories subjected them to intensified challenges during the competitions. It wasn't the first time women faced Olympic attacks; women have always been the target of criticism.

Stereotypes of the proud, virtuous, and slender Arab woman faded as Imane used her entire body as a tool for victory against global policies hidden behind the Olympics.

The notion of feminine adequacy

Today, young women and girls rush to cosmetic surgeries and makeup to alter their faces and bodies—waists, noses, hips, thighs, and chests—while other women stand in opposition to this delusional ideal. They set their own standards, defying conventional norms and embracing their "feminine adequacy" or sufficiency in their own way, with their own standards.

Despite our differing Arab liberation struggles, from the liberation of Palestine to the liberation of the waist, don't we all agree on the necessity of personal freedom? Who defines what it means to be a woman if not the woman herself? Who determines an individual's goals and dreams if not the individual, regardless of his/her difference?

Despite our differing Arab liberation struggles, from the liberation of Palestine to the liberation of the waist, don't we all agree on the necessity of personal freedom? Who defines what it means to be a woman if not the woman herself? Who determines an individual's goals and dreams if not the individual, regardless of his/her difference?

Feminine standards are inherently different and varied. Today's cosmetic industry thrives on the concept of perfection, imposing specific physical traits and promoting standardized female models in standard templates shaped by societal policies, capitalism, and the media. This system uses endless mechanisms that commodify women within a rapidly evolving material struggle.

However, in ancient desert societies, for instance, they preferred a tall stature, a large build, long dark hair, and full legs—qualities that starkly contrast with today's prevailing standards. In Mauritania, for example, they favor full and plump women, while viewing thinness as undesirable. I wonder how they reconcile this with the French beauty ideal fashion magazines have long celebrated, one based on extreme dieting or starving to achieve this ideal thinness. This disparity shows that the issue isn't limited to a specific feminine standard but is a racism that stems from a deeper and broader conflict.

We have all seen the transformation of Western society, which suddenly adopted a fluid standard of femininity that shifts with its political winds. This society fights homophobia in various fields yet now stands against women who have great physical strength or those from different religious, racial, and cultural backgrounds in the Olympics.

Today, women have the freedom to choose themselves, their identity, appearance, and form; the freedom to select their gender; the freedom to choose their profession, dreams, and motivations; and the freedom to pursue the victories they desire for themselves. It is through exercising this personal freedom that individual creativity emerges.

In her unique approach to boxing, Imane Khelif has become the first woman in Arab and African history to win a gold medal in the international Olympics. According to her, she studies her opponents for two weeks through videos, allowing her to strategize effectively. Imane is known for her excellent maneuvering during matches, while favoring offense over defense and delivering swift and fierce punches that overwhelm her opponents.

Khelif, along with other Arab female boxers like Khadija Mardi and Ikram Kerwat, and a few other women, are contributing significantly to the development of women's boxing in the Arab world through their international participation. They serve as living examples of women's ability to persevere and achieve their goals—women who carve their paths with their own hands and determine their own destinies. Imane's journey culminated in a gold medal for Algeria, as if she was reminding France and the world of Africa's wealth and gold that has long been plundered by global powers.

* The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Raseef22