Father of Algerian boxer Khelif says he is honoured by his daughter

Algerian boxer Iman Khalif has been at the center of controversy at the Olympics over whether athletes with developmental sex differences (DSD) should compete as women. Iman's father says that the attacks against his daughter are immoral and that she has brought pride to the family.

Khalif failed the gender eligibility test at the International Boxing Association (IBA) world championships last year, but was cleared by the International Olympic Committee to compete in the Paris Games.

Iman's father, Omar Khalif, expressed his pride in his daughter in an interview at his simple home in the outskirts of Tiaret, Algeria, and said he supports her to win a medal for the whole of Algeria.

"It's an honor to have such a daughter, because she's a hero," he said in a proud tone. He has made me proud and I encourage him and hope he wins a medal in Paris. Iman has been in love with sports since he was six years old.

To prove his words, Mr. Khalif showed an official document to Reuters that stated the date of birth of Iman as a woman, May 2, 1378.

He said: "This is the official document of our family. You see, it is written here, Iman Khalif, woman. This document does not lie, read it yourself."

Last year, Khalif was disqualified hours before her gold medal fight in New Delhi because IBA eligibility rules prevent athletes with the XY chromosome from competing in women's events.

However, the International Olympic Committee suspended the IBA's status as boxing's world governing body last year and took over the responsibility of organizing boxing events at the Paris Games.

The International Olympic Committee believes that the principle is to accept all athletes and only remove athletes from women's competitions if there are clear issues of fairness or safety. For this reason, they have defended their decision to allow Khalifa to run.

At Tiaret Boxing Club, where a poster of Khalif hangs over the ring, young female boxers support their hero.

Bushra Rabihi, a 17-year-old girl who aspires to become a professional, mocked Khalifa's detractors: "I know Iman Khalifa as the hero of Algeria, the hero of Africa, and also the hero of the Arabs."

"These critics are trying to destabilize him in the boxing ring, but he is a champion and will remain a champion," he continued.

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