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      in Athletics

      Transgender parent-of-two Valentina Petrillo, 50, qualifies for Paralympics 2024 women’s 400m semi-final

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      AN ITALIAN runner who was born male has become the second transgender athlete to compete in the 64-year history of the Paralympics.Valentina Petrillo, 50, has a visual impairment and competed in the heats of the women’s T12 400m class on day five of the Paris Games.Valentina Petrillo of Team Italy made history during the Women’s 400m T12 Round 1 Heats on day five of the ParalympicsCredit: GETTYThe 50-year-old became the second transgender athlete to compete in the Games in its 64-year historyCredit: GETTYPetrillo was born a male and underwent hormone therapy in 2019Credit: GETTYPetrillo, who does not require a guide, qualified for tonight’s semi-finals at the Stade de France with a time of 58.35 seconds as she finished behind Alejandra Paola Perez Lopez of Venezuela in heat four but ahead of China’s Shen Yaqin.Without requiring the use of a guide runner, parent-of-two Petrillo qualified sixth overall and will be in contention for the podium spots at the Paras.She said: Petrillo said: “The atmosphere in the stadium is great, it’s just a dream come true. We are here finally, it’s September 2, 2024, let’s sign this historical date (in our diary).“From today I don’t want to hear anything more about discrimination, prejudices against transgender people.READ MORE PARALYMPICS NEWS“There are lots of people dying only for being trans, people are killed because they are trans, people commit suicide because they are trans and lose their jobs, or (they are) are not included in sport.“But I made it. If I can make it, everyone can make it. I thought about Paris from the day I knew I was not making it to Tokyo. I am here now. Finally, I made it.”In 2017, the disabled star shocked her wife, the mother of their two children, when she revealed she wanted to become a transgender woman – and within two years, she was undergoing hormone therapy.Running as a male, Petrillo won 11 Italian para-athletics titles but has started to win medals on the international stage since switching to female-only events.Most read in AthleticsIn March 2023, World Athletics – the governing body of able-bodied track-and-field – took a firm stance on this controversial topic.Officials decided to exclude male-to-female transgender athletes who had gone through male puberty from competing in international events for women.Imane Khelif wins Olympic gold in women’s welterweight final after huge gender row that has grabbed worldwide attentionSeb Coe, the president of the governing body, said “decisive action” was taken “to protect the female category in our sport”.While some might feel that Petrillo has a considerable physical advantage, despite being in her sixth decade on the planet, the International Paralympic Committee refused to implement any ban, saying they do not have any “framework” of rules.Channel 4’s Paralympics Line-UpChannel 4 have a star-studded line-up of hosts and pundits for their coverage of the 2024 ParalympicsA IPC spokesperson said: “We have had one previous transgender athlete at the Paralympic Games. “This was a Rio 2016 Paralympian who represented the Netherlands.“Our framework is very clear. The IPC have no specific rules on transgender.“It’s the responsibility of the international federations, which is a very similar approach to the IOC (International Olympic Committee).”Not everybody is convinced and some want a suspension to come into force.Germany’s Katrin Mueller-Rottgardt, who competes in the women’s long jump, said: “Basically, everyone should live in everyday life the way they feel comfortable, but I find it difficult in competitive sports.“Petrillo has lived and trained as a man for a long time, so there is a possibility that the physical requirements are different to those of someone who was born as a woman.Valentina Petrillo wants to be a role model for other transgender peopleCredit: GETTY”This could give an advantage.”Petrillo said: “I’m happy as a woman and running as a woman is all I want. I couldn’t ask for more.“I dream of a future where no one has to hear stories like mine anymore.“For 44 years I had no tools, I thought I was the only one in the world experiencing this situation.”I was born in Naples in the Seventies, where the ‘femminielli’ were considered the ‘scum’ of society.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I had an older relative who declared that she was trans and she was kicked out of the house by her father. I was scared and hid.“I dream of a future in which there are no longer children, girls, teenagers, forced to hide, to be afraid, to not be able to express themselves for who they are: in the family, in society, in everyday activities.” More

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      in Boxing

      Team GB boxer emotionally torn apart and battling depression after Olympics 2024 robbery

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      DELICIOUS ORIE has been emotionally torn apart and is still battling     the depression that engulfed him after he was robbed by Olympic  boxing judges.Orie hasn’t yet recovered from that intense sense of injustice he felt in Paris last month.Great Britain’s Delicious Orie, right, was devastated after losing to Davit Chaloyan during the Men’s +92kg final in ParisCredit: PAHe said ‘I’ve never suffered depression in my life before’Credit: GettyDJ, as he likes to be called, won Commonwealth Games and European Championship golds.And Great Britain’s super-heavyweight was a favourite to become Olympic champion.The smell from sewage in the Seine may have been unpleasant but there was a far greater stench in the boxing arena.The XY chromosomes controversy over Algerian Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting — allowed to compete in the women’s event despite previously failing gender tests — and some disturbing judges’ scorecards saw to that.READ MORE IN BOXINGOrie wasn’t at his best fighting Davit Chaloyan yet was given the first round by all five judges.The second and third rounds were much closer but DJ and his team were dumbfounded as he was ruled a 3-2 loser.Orie was distraught and is struggling to come to terms with that dodgy defeat to the Armenian.When I tracked Orie down this week, on holiday with his parents in Thailand, he was pleased to unburden himself.Most read in BoxingThough he was 5,000 miles away, I could feel his pain when he said: “It’s going to be a very long time before I get what happened to me in Paris out of my system.“I just can’t stop thinking about it.Ten things from the Olympics closing ceremony you may have missed“Knowing my Olympic boxing history, I know it has happened to much better fighters than me — Roy Jones Jr in Seoul and Floyd Mayweather Jr in Atlanta being the most famous victims.“But I couldn’t believe it when my opponent’s hand was raised — I felt sick to my stomach as if I’d been hit by a low blow from Mike Tyson.“It took eight hard years preparing to win gold, then all my dreams were just shattered.“I’ve never suffered depression in my life before — I just can’t get it out of my mind and my whole world seemed to have collapsed.“I’ve taken a lot of punches, been dropped in sparring, been really wounded as an athlete.I couldn’t believe it when my opponent’s hand was raised — I felt sick to my stomach as if I’d been hit by a low blow from Mike Tyson.Delicious OrieSunSport“But this is by far the worst thing I’ve had to go through — nothing has hurt me as much as this.”Orie is 27 and won’t want to stay amateur for another four years to try to make it to the Los Angeles Games.Not least because it’s uncertain if boxing will be included for 2028.He could turn pro — or quit boxing altogether and rely on his first-class honours degree in economics from Aston University to earn a living.Having failed to get an Olympic medal, DJ can’t expect to be offered a lucrative promotional deal to start punching for pay.READ MORE SUN STORIESHe’s certainly not too old to leave the amateurs — 2016 Olympic silver medallist Joe Joyce didn’t turn pro until he was 32 and was interim WBO world heavyweight champ.Orie is not a big puncher but with his brains   and colourful background — his mother is Russian and his father Nigerian — he would be a welcome addition to Britain’s talented and highly competitive heavyweight scene.You’re Not AloneEVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicideIt doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support: More

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      in Soccer

      Thierry Henry QUITS as manager of France U21s for ‘personal reasons’ after Arsenal legend’s Olympics silver medal

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      THIERRY HENRY has left his role as France U21s coach due to personal reasons.The Arsenal legend, 47, also took charge of his country’s men’s team at their home Olympic Games and led them to a silver medal, losing 5-3 to Spain in the gold medal match.Thierry Henry has left his role as France U21s coach due to personal reasonsCredit: The Mega AgencyHenry confirmed the news in a statement made by the French Football Federation.The former Barcelona striker said: “I would like to thank the FFF and the president Philippe Diallo who offered me this incredible opportunity.”Winning the silver medal at the Olympic Games for my country will remain one of the greatest prides of my life.”I am incredibly grateful to the federation, the players, the staff and the supporters who allowed me to live a magical experience.”READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHenry was appointed France U21 coach in August last year and won four of his six games in charge.His other managerial stints came with Ligue 1 side Monaco and Canadian outfit Montreal Impact.With Monaco he lasted just three months before being sacked in January 2019 after winning just four of 20 matches.He then joined Montreal later that year and spent 15 months at the club, claiming nine victories in 29 games.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSAt the Olympics with France, Henry led his side to the top of their group with wins over USA, Guinea and New Zealand.They then beat Argentina in a fiery quarter-final, before booking their place in the gold medal match with a 3-1 victory over Egypt after extra time.Thierry Henry reveals the piece of clothing he never flies without – it’s all to protect his ‘soft spot’ In the final they came from 3-1 down to send the match to extra time thanks to a late Jean-Philippe Mateta equaliser.But Spain’s Sergio Camello then netted twice to seal Olympic gold for his nation.After claiming their silver medal, Henry went viral on social media when he was filmed showing off his dance moves alongside his players in a nightclub. More

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      in Boxing

      Olympics 2024 gender row boxer Imane Khelif’s mum slams critics and insists: ‘My child is a girl’

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      IMANE KHELIF’S mother has hit back at claims the Olympic gold medalist wasn’t born a female.The Algerian boxed her way to welterweight gold at Paris 2024 earlier this month, although her participation at the Games was shrouded in controversy.Imane Khelif poses with her gold medalCredit: ReutersThe Algerian was subjected to brutal criticismCredit: GettyKhelif – as well as featherweight Lin Yu-Ting – competed 13 months after allegedly failing gender eligibility tests administered by the Russian-backed International Boxing Association.Unsubstantiated claims she was born a male spread like wildfire on social media after Italy’s Angela Carini quit their tournament opener after 46 seconds.But her mother, Nasria, defiantly told The Daily Mail: “My child is a girl. She was raised as a girl.”Imane is a girl who has loved sport since she was six years old.READ MORE BOXING NEWS”I will always be there for her. She’s honoured the national flag. She is our role model.”The IBA revealed they WON’T put an end to the debate about Khelif’s Olympic run and release the results of the alleged test she failed.IBA Secretary General Chris Roberts said: “It’s never been our intention to bring any of this about.”We’ve received letters from China and Algeria informing us we can’t disclose any info on boxers.Most read in Boxing”You can see what that means – again read between the lines.”Khelif, remarkably, didn’t let the online noise surrounding her affect her displays in the ring.Gender row boxer Imane Khelif ‘names Elon Musk & JK Rowling in Olympics cyberbullying lawsuit’But the abuse she received due to misinformation and bigotry did take a silent toll.She said: “And what can I say about this stage? It was not enough. It was a very difficult stage. I could not wait for it to pass. The scenario was very scary.”Thank God, all the people of Algeria and the Arab world knew the real Imane Khelif, with her femininity, her courage, her determination.”Immediately after my opening victory at the Olympics, there was a big uproar from politicians around the world, from big athletes around the world, and even from artists and global stars.Olympics gender controversyTHE International Olympic Committee (IOC) stirred up a huge controversy by clearing two women to box who had previously failed a gender test.Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting were disqualified at the Women’s World Championships in New Delhi, India, in March 2023.Lin Yu-ting was stripped of a bronze medal after failing a gender eligibility test.Khelif was disqualified in New Delhi for failing a testosterone level test.Officials found tests showed they had ‘XY chromosomes’ — which indicates a person is biologically male.Rare ‘intersex’ medical conditions, medically known as differences in sexual development (DSDs), can also mean outwardly female individuals can have ‘male’ chromosomes, or vice versa.The Russia-led International Boxing Association organised that event but is no longer recognised by the IOC.IOC spokesman Mark Adams said: “These athletes have competed many times before for many years, they haven’t just suddenly arrived – they competed in Tokyo.”The federation needs to make the rules to make sure that there is fairness but at the same time there is the ability for everyone to take part that wants to. That is a difficult balance.”In the end the experts for each sport are the people who work in that. If there is a big advantage that clearly is not acceptable, but that needs to be a decision made at that level.”Both Khelif and Lin competed at the delayed Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. Lin is a two-time winner at the Asian Women Amateur Boxing Championships.The IOC said all boxers in Paris “comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations”.The controversy follows the famous case of Caster Semenya.South African middle-distance runner Semenya has a condition which means her body naturally produces higher levels of testosterone than normal for women.She won gold in the 800m at London 2012 and Rio in 2016 but was unable to compete at Tokyo in 2021 after World Athletics brought in new rules independently of the IOC at the time.”Elon Musk, Donald Trump, this thing affected me, to be honest. It affected me a lot. It hurt me a lot. I cannot describe to you the amount of fear which I experienced.”I was afraid that I would say to myself, ‘Why did Imane Khelif insist on this? Why was there big uproar from around the world?'”I was afraid. But, thank God, I was able to overcome this stage. Thanks to the psychiatrists who helped me to overcome this stage.”IOC and Paris 2024 Boxing Unit statement in fullA look at the full statement issued by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit…Every person has the right to practise sport without discrimination.All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU). As with previous Olympic boxing competitions, the gender and age of the athletes are based on their passport.These rules also applied during the qualification period, including the boxing tournaments of the 2023 European Games, Asian Games, Pan American Games and Pacific Games, the ad hoc 2023 African qualifying tournament in Dakar (SEN) and two world qualifying tournaments held in Busto Arsizio (ITA) and Bangkok (THA) in 2024, which involved a total of 1,471 different boxers from 172 National Olympic Committees (NOCs), the Boxing Refugee Team and Individual Neutral Athletes, and featured over 2,000 qualification bouts.The PBU used the Tokyo 2020 boxing rules as a baseline to develop its regulations for Paris 2024. This was to minimise the impact on athletes’ preparations and guarantee consistency between Olympic Games. These Tokyo 2020 rules were based on the post-Rio 2016 rules, which were in place before the suspension of the boxing International Federation by the IOC in 2019 and the subsequent withdrawal of its recognition in 2023.We have seen in reports misleading information about two female athletes competing at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The two athletes have been competing in international boxing competitions for many years in the women’s category, including the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships and IBA-sanctioned tournaments.These two athletes were the victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA. Towards the end of the IBA World Championships in 2023, they were suddenly disqualified without any due process.According to the IBA minutes available on their website, this decision was initially taken solely by the IBA Secretary General and CEO. The IBA Board only ratified it afterwards and only subsequently requested that a procedure to follow in similar cases in the future be established and reflected in the IBA Regulations. The minutes also say that the IBA should “establish a clear procedure on gender testing”.The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was taken without any proper procedure – especially considering that these athletes had been competing in top-level competition for many years.Such an approach is contrary to good governance.Eligibility rules should not be changed during ongoing competition, and any rule change must follow appropriate processes and should be based on scientific evidence.The IOC is committed to protecting the human rights of all athletes participating in the Olympic Games as per the Olympic Charter, the IOC Code of Ethics and the IOC Strategic Framework on Human Rights. The IOC is saddened by the abuse that the two athletes are currently receiving.The IBA’s recognition was withdrawn by the IOC in 2023 following its suspension in 2019. The withdrawal of recognition was confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). See the IOC’s statement following the ruling.The IOC has made it clear that it needs National Boxing Federations to reach a consensus around a new International Federation in order for boxing to be included on the sports programme of the Olympic Games LA28. More

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      in Soccer

      Fans joke Harry Maguire is auditioning for the Olympics after ’embarrassing’ dive in box for Man Utd against Fulham

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      HARRY MAGUIRE is already in hot water with fans – after an outrageous dive.The Manchester United defender was even accused of auditioning too late for a spot on this summer’s Olympics springboard – when hoping to win a penalty against Fulham.Harry Maguire sparked controversy after his reaction to a challenge from Fulham new boy Emile Smith Rowe in the first Prem game of the seasonMaguire went down easily, appearing to scream tooOver he goes, as Maguire makes the most of his moment in the boxMaguire missed Euro 2024 through injury but was paired alongside Lisandro Martinez in United’s defence for Friday night’s Premier League opener.And fans joked he might have made Paris 2024 – if the plunge he made at Old Trafford had come a couple of months earlier.Maguire tumbled over in the box far too easily when Fulham new boy Emile Smith Rowe extended a leg late in the first half.The centre-back flung both arms out in front of him with his mouth wide open in apparent pain as he fell to the deck.READ MORE TOP STORIESDespite his protests, Maguire was booked for simulation.And former Red Devils’ defender Gary Neville described the incident as a “little bit awkward”.Nev then spelt his feelings out more frankly by calling it a “dive” and adding: “Maguire throws himself to the ground.”In fact, just days after the Paris Games ended, one fan pointed out on X: “Hey yo Maguire the Olympics are done mate no need to dive.”Most read in FootballMaguire saw yellow as he was booked for a move that many fans reckon should also have left him with a red faceFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSA second observer urged someone to let the star know “the Olympic gold for diving was already won last week”.  And a third viewer wrote: “Harry Maguire diving… What a start.”Awkward moment between Erik ten Hag and Roy Keane shown live on Sky Sports as fiery Irishman says ‘I’ll be waiting’But the 63-cap ace also won plaudits for his general display in a 1-0 victory sneaked late on by sub Joshua Zirkzee.And although Maguire’s dive made waves, he won sizeable praise too – for what might be considered the opposite manoeuvre to taking a plunge.One admirer suggested: “Harry Maguire winning a big header is one of the most beautiful sights in the natural world. It’s like seeing a breaching humpback whale.”That certainly blows a hole through all the criticism he gets. More

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      in Boxing

      Eddie Hearn reveals he’s keen to promote Olympics 2024 gender row boxer Imane Khelif following Paris gold

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      EDDIE HEARN has revealed he’s open to adding Imane Khelif to his Matchroom stable.The Algerian boxed her way to welterweight gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics earlier this month, although her participation at the Games was mired in controversy.Imane Khelif won Olympic gold at welterweight at Paris 2024Credit: RexBut the Algerian’s participation at the Games was mired in a gender rowCredit: APMatchoom Boxing chief Eddie Hearn is willing to work with teh 25-year-oldCredit: GETTYKhelif, along with Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting, allegedly failed a gender identity test conducted by the IBA in March 2023 – testing positive for male XY chromosomes.The Russian-backed organisation has refused to divulge the results of the test and put an end to the furore surrounding 25-year-old Khelif, who was born a biological female.Khelif will now be mulling over the possibility of turning pro, a journey Hearn is willing to facilitate – on one condition.When asked if he’d sign the Olympian, he told iFL TV: “Yes, if the facts were laid out.READ MORE ON IMANE KHELIF”If it was in a position where there is no reason why this individual shouldn’t compete as a female.”One, she is a talented fighter. “Two, commercially I think she has up to two Instagram million followers so the answer is yes.”There are probably facts that we don’t know around the situation and if they are true.Most read in BoxingThe IBA won’t share the alleged test results that discovered Imane Khelif had XY chromosomesCredit: Getty”If a fighter was deemed female with no physical advantages – again I haven’t seen anything, I have only seen people say ‘they have done this test’.”Do we get to see it? Are we just going to believe that narrative? Gender row boxer Imane Khelif ‘names Elon Musk & JK Rowling in Olympics cyberbullying lawsuit'”It’s not ever one that I’d go I’m not getting involved in this conversation.”Khelif was subjected to several libellous claims – some of which she plans to take to court – on social media after Italian Angela Carini quit their bout after a mere 46 seconds.Hearn said of the situation in Paris: “If there is an unfair physical advantage that the individual has, that is what has to be looked at.”But not by a rival organisation, or someone with an agenda. But if you are born a female and lived your whole life as a female it’s different.”I’m not going to say what is right or wrong, but the facts that I have seen lean me towards you have the right to compete as a female.Imane Khelif plans to take legal action against several high-profile figuresCredit: GETTY”So I don’t know. But also I will say this individual has competed on the circuit for years. It’s not like she’s dominated the scene, she’s lost many times.”Other fighters came out and said, ‘I’ve sparred her or beat her.’ I feel like the Italian was a put-up job.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Because it wasn’t even really a huge shot, and this person has sparred her before.”But we need more information about it and a conversation about it.”Olympics gender controversyTHE International Olympic Committee (IOC) stirred up a huge controversy by clearing two women to box who had previously failed a gender test.Algeria’s Imane Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting were disqualified at the Women’s World Championships in New Delhi, India, in March 2023.Lin Yu-ting was stripped of a bronze medal after failing a gender eligibility test.Khelif was disqualified in New Delhi for failing a testosterone level test.Officials found tests showed they had ‘XY chromosomes’ — which indicates a person is biologically male.Rare ‘intersex’ medical conditions, medically known as differences in sexual development (DSDs), can also mean outwardly female individuals can have ‘male’ chromosomes, or vice versa.The Russia-led International Boxing Association organised that event but is no longer recognised by the IOC.IOC spokesman Mark Adams said: “These athletes have competed many times before for many years, they haven’t just suddenly arrived – they competed in Tokyo.”The federation needs to make the rules to make sure that there is fairness but at the same time there is the ability for everyone to take part that wants to. That is a difficult balance.”In the end the experts for each sport are the people who work in that. If there is a big advantage that clearly is not acceptable, but that needs to be a decision made at that level.”Both Khelif and Lin competed at the delayed Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. Lin is a two-time winner at the Asian Women Amateur Boxing Championships.The IOC said all boxers in Paris “comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations”.The controversy follows the famous case of Caster Semenya.South African middle-distance runner Semenya has a condition which means her body naturally produces higher levels of testosterone than normal for women.She won gold in the 800m at London 2012 and Rio in 2016 but was unable to compete at Tokyo in 2021 after World Athletics brought in new rules independently of the IOC at the time. More

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      in Boxing

      Pregnant Laura Woods reveals she was sent death threats after wading into Imane Khelif Olympic boxing gender row

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      LAURA Woods has revealed she was sent death threats after wading into the Imane Khelif Olympic boxing gender row.The TNT Sports host, 37, who recently announced she is expecting a baby with Love Island boyfriend Adam Collard, tweeted about an article in the Telegraph.TNT Sports TV presenter Laura Woods has revealed she was sent death threatsCredit: GettyGold medallist Algeria’s Imane Khelif poses on the podium during the medal ceremonyCredit: AFPKhelif faced criticism after beating Italian boxer Angela Carini in just 46 secondsShe replied, “Great article Oli” to a piece titled ‘Blinded by ideology: Inside boxing row that undermined IOC and tarnished Olympics’.Since the post, Woods said she has received “numerous death threats to myself and my unborn child”.She wrote on X: “Since I replied to this article I’ve had numerous death threats to myself and my unborn child.”Questions on my own gender (I’m pregnant so guess that clears that one up) calls for my employers to sack me, threats to my home.Read more Sports News”I’ve been called a racist, a bigot and a sexist as well as various insults – c*nt, sl*g etc.”I’ve also been asked why I haven’t raised any concerns on this topic before? See above for your answer.”Woods added: “When there are discrepancies with test results – which could impact the safety of another human being, in an environment that above all else should be fair – questions are quite rightly going to be asked.”The answers are still unclear, otherwise this topic would be closed.”Most read in BoxingKhelif won Olympic gold in the women’s 66kg boxing contest after critics said her participation risked women’s safety.The Algerian was born female and does not identify as transgender or intersex.Gender row boxer Imane Khelif ‘names Elon Musk & JK Rowling in Olympics cyberbullying lawsuit’But Khelif faced criticism on social media from a number of public figures saying she is male and should not be taking part.She has reportedly named Elon Musk and JK Rowling in a cyberbullying lawsuit – with her lawyer claiming Donald Trump’s tweets will also be probed.Khelif is understood to have filed a criminal complaint to French authorities.The complaint details alleged “acts of aggravated cyber harassment” against the Algerian boxer.CLEMMIE MOODIE Imane Khelif is world’s first fictional trans Olympian – those who labelled her ‘male’ were deeply irresponsible”IF it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck . . . then get it the duck out of the Olympic GamesMany, then, think boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting will waddle their way to podium glory next week.But how deeply sad that a global event with so, so many stories — ones of triumph, adversity, heartbreak and sheer, hard work against all odds — should focus on the back stories of these two individuals.Everyone has their opinion. And everyone is entitled to their opinion.But those with the loudest, people such as JK Rowling — who should really get back to Privet Drive and lay off some of the militant anti-trans stuff — need to be careful.When the author labelled the athletes “male”, she knew what she was doing: Stirring up her cauldron of hatred and winding up the ill-informed masses.It was deeply irresponsible.Because in Algeria, where Khelif is from, it is illegal to be gay, let alone trans, which, let’s face it, is what the boxer stands accused of being.In effect, she has become the world’s first fictional trans Olympian.But she isn’t transgender. And never has been.Because, as is the case so regularly these days, mis-information, conspiracy and gross exaggeration are rife.And how tragically horrific if those vociferous individuals claiming to be standing up for women should see two women subsequently killed by hate mobs.Where was JK’s outrage over the convicted Dutch male rapist Steven van de Velde being allowed to compete in the beach volleyball?Or where, if she’s so concerned about advantageous hormones, was her anger over China’s gold medal-winning 4x100m medley team, which featured two swimmers who previously returned positive doping tests?Yesterday, the Algerian athlete tore into the scrutiny of her gender as “harmful to human dignity”, begging people to “refrain from bullying”.And then the International Boxing Association, the body which originally claimed the pair had failed “eligibility tests” without even categorically explaining what these tests are, openly bullied her.The IBA, which has been banned from regulating Olympic boxing because of governance problems, a lack of financial transparency and many perceived instances of corruption, let its clearly mad Russian chief Umar Kremlev do the talking.Kremlev ranted, sensitively: “The tests show they were men. We don’t verify what they have between their legs. We don’t know if they were born like that or if some changes were made.”Very unhelpfully, the boxers themselves and their governing bodies are also refusing to say exactly what tests they had done. And in this, some blame lies with them.Do the pair have conditions such as Swyer Syndrome which means they have female reproductive organs but higher levels of testosterone? Are they intersex? How raised is their testosterone?Of course, they shouldn’t have to drop their shorts and show the world their genitalia.But they must display more transparency.The IOC’s ham-fisted handling of testing procedures also needs addressing.And if these women really do have a grossly unfair advantage, then this must be dealt with — and yes, perhaps they should be competing against men, albeit in a lighter weight category.After all, the hurt feelings of these athletes mustn’t triumph over common sense and the well-being of their XX-chromosomed counterparts.Safety must come first, for everyone.And that means no more rumour, no more conspiracy theories and no more wild conjecture. Just facts.Khelif’s lawyer Nabil Boudi told Variety: “JK Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others.”Trump tweeted, so whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution.”What we’re asking is that the prosecution investigates not only these people but whoever it feels necessary.”The Parisian lawyer added: “If the case goes to court, they will stand trial.”Harry Potter author Rowling slammed Khelif after her win over Italian boxer Angela Carini.Carini quit the round-of-16 bout just 46 seconds in – refusing to shake Khelif’s hand and claiming she had never been punched so hard.Rowling accused Khelif of being a man “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head”.READ MORE SUN STORIESTwitter and Tesla owner Musk shared a post about Khelif claiming “men don’t belong in women’s sports”.And Trump posted a snap of the Khelif-Carini fight with the caption: “I will keep men out of women’s sports!”Harry Potter author Rowling slammed KhelifCredit: GettyTwitter owner Elon Musk shared a post calling Khelif a manCredit: Getty More

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      in Boxing

      Imane Khelif breaks silence after ‘naming Elon Musk & JK Rowling in cyberbullying lawsuit’ over boxing gender row

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      IMANE Khelif has broken her silence after reportedly naming Elon Musk and JK Rowling in a cyberbullying lawsuit.Khelif won Olympic gold in the women’s 66kg boxing contest on Saturday after critics said her participation risked women’s safety.Imane Khelif has spoken for the first time since reportedly naming Elon Musk and JK Rowling in a cyberbullying lawsuitCredit: ReutersKhelif was at the centre of a ‘gender row’ controversy at the Olympics after being allowed to compete in women’s boxingCredit: GettyThe boxing champion is understood to have filed a criminal complaint to French authorities which alleges “acts of aggravated cyber harassment” against the Algerian from famous figures such as Rowling and Musk.Harry Potter author Rowling slammed Khelif after her win over Italian boxer Angela Carini.Rowling accused Khelif of being a man “enjoying the distress of a woman he’s just punched in the head” after Carini left the bout in tears.Meanwhile, Twitter and Tesla owner Musk shared a post about Khelif claiming “men don’t belong in women’s sports”.Read More in BoxingNow, the 25-year-old Olympic champion has spoken out after a successful Olympics campaign shrouded in controversy.Khelif told El Birad: “Immediately after there was a big uproar from big politicians around the world, athletes around the world, and even artists and stars, Elon Musk, Trump.. this thing….. that affected me.”I am not lying to you, it affected me. It affected me a lot, hurt me a lot. I can’t describe to you the amount of fear I had.”The scenario was very scary. Thank god, all the people of Algeria and the Arab world knew Imane Khelif with her femininity, her courage, her will,’ said the Algerian boxer.Most read in Boxing”Honestly, I don’t like to get into politics in sports, but they got into politics in sports. Sports and politics are two separate things. “These politicians who are oppressing me, they don’t have the right to say that I’m a transgender.”Khelif’s lawyer Nabil Boudi previously told Variety: “JK Rowling and Elon Musk are named in the lawsuit, among others.”Trump tweeted, so whether or not he is named in our lawsuit, he will inevitably be looked into as part of the prosecution.”What we’re asking is that the prosecution investigates not only these people but whoever it feels necessary.Gender row boxer Imane Khelif ‘names Elon Musk & JK Rowling in Olympics cyberbullying lawsuit’The Parisian lawyer added: “If the case goes to court, they will stand trial.”The Algerian was born female and does not identify as transgender or intersex.But just last year Khelif was thrown out of last year’s World Championships in India after failing an unspecified gender test.International Boxing Association officials said tests showed Khelif had ‘XY chromosomes’ — which indicates a person is biologically male.However, the IBA has still not revealed which tests it used or published the results.Rare ‘intersex’ medical conditions, medically known as differences in sexual development (DSDs), can also mean outwardly female individuals can have ‘male’ chromosomes, or vice versa.But Khelif faced criticism on social media from a number of public figures saying she is male and should not be taking part.READ MORE SUN STORIESPossible repercussions for cyber-bullying offences in France are prison sentences ranging from two to five years and fines ranging from £26,000 to £39,000. If prosecuted as online hate speech, perpetrators could even be fined £64,000 to £214,000. More