Algerian boxer Imane Khelif got caught up in controversy after her opponent, Angela Carini from Italy, suddenly walked away from their fight at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Even though Khelif was born female and identifies as a woman, her participation in the match stirred up a lot of debate.
Now, her father has finally spoken out.
On August 1, during Khelif’s boxing match with Carini, the fight unexpectedly ended when the Italian boxer left the ring early, saying she was experiencing “severe pain” in her nose.
After her opponent left the match, Imane Khelif was automatically declared the winner. But, some people think she shouldn’t compete against other women because she was disqualified from the 2023 world championships for having high testosterone levels.
Imane’s father, Amar Khelif, defended her, expressing pride in her achievements. He said, “Having such a daughter is an honor because she is a champion. She made me proud, and I encourage her. I hope she wins a medal in Paris.” He also mentioned that Imane has loved sports since she was 6 years old.
To clear up any doubts about her gender, Amar Khelif showed an official document that says, “Imane Khelif, female,” dated May 2, 1999. He insisted that this document is the truth.
The controversy led Angela Carini, the Italian boxer, to apologize to Khelif on August 2. She told an Italian news outlet that she was sorry for what happened and that she respects the decision allowing Khelif to fight. Carini explained that she didn’t mean for things to turn out this way and apologized to Khelif and everyone else.
Imane Khelif also spoke out, asking people to stop bullying athletes. She told SNTV, “Bullying can destroy people’s spirits and minds. It can divide people, and that’s why I’m asking everyone to stop doing it.”
Despite all the controversy, Khelif’s story shows the tough challenges athletes face when they’re under public scrutiny. Her father’s support and her own request for kindness remind us how important it is to show respect and understanding in sports.
As the debate goes on, Khelif is still focused on her goal of succeeding in the Olympics and making her family and country proud. The journey hasn’t been easy, but with her father’s encouragement and her own determination, she aims to overcome these challenges and continue on her path as a champion.
At 72, Jane Seymour proudly showcases her twin sons, whom she welcomed at 44, calling them “handsome young men”
Beyond her illustrious career as an actress, Seymour is also an accomplished author and a devoted mother. Her journey through motherhood has been filled with both challenges and joys, particularly in raising twin sons.
The actress, who has been married and divorced four times, is the proud mother of Katherine, 42, and Sean Flynn, 39, from her union with David Flynn. Additionally, she shares twin sons, John Stacy and Kristopher Steven, 28, with filmmaker James Keach.
Seymour has openly discussed her struggles on the path to motherhood. In an interview with People, she shared how in-vitro fertilization led to two miscarriages, almost leading her and her then-husband to give up hope. However, her third pregnancy at the age of 44 was a success, resulting in the birth of her twin boys.
The twins arrived six weeks early through an emergency C-section due to pre-eclampsia, presenting a host of challenges right from the start. Reflecting on this difficult experience in an interview with Loose Women, she stated: “I nearly died having them, and the babies nearly died”.
Despite the risks, Seymour expressed no regrets about her decision to have children, affirming: “I’m very glad I had them”. The early days were particularly crucial, as both boys required close monitoring due to health issues. At one point, Johnny even turned blue after returning home, necessitating another hospital visit for close observation of his breathing and swallowing.
To ensure she was fully present in their lives, Seymour made choices that allowed her to include her children in her work. As they grew, the twins formed a strong bond, often sharing a crib and later a bed.
Recently, Seymour delighted fans with a touching photo of herself alongside her now-adult twin sons, who have grown tall and handsome. Comments flooded in, praising both the boys and their mother: “Love this Jane. The boys are so handsome, and you look beautiful”, one fan wrote. Others added: “Two handsome men! And a beautiful mother!” and “Your boys are handsome”.
Seymour’s experience as a mother of twins, marked by both hardships and joys, showcases the profound strength of a mother’s love. As her sons stand tall beside her, she continues to celebrate the blessings of parenthood and the lasting impact of family.
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