Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif has sparked heated debate after being named the third-best female athlete of 2024 by the Associated Press, following a controversial year that saw her gold medal victory in Paris scrutinized by critics.
The Associated Press ranking, determined by votes from 74 sports journalists, placed Khelif behind WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark, who secured first place with 35 votes, and Olympic gymnast Simone Biles, who received 25 votes. Khelif garnered four votes for the third position.
The selection has drawn criticism from various quarters, including former ESPN personality Charly Arnolt, who questioned the decision on OutKick’s ‘The Morning’ show.
“How in the world are there four AP journalists, who make it their bread and butter covering sports, who decided that this person deserved to be the athlete of the year?” Arnolt said. “I think this just goes to show that once again the mainstream media cannot be trusted.”
The controversy intensified when French journalist Djaffar Ait Aoudia published what was claimed to be a leaked medical report from June 2023. The report, allegedly drafted by endocrinologists Soumaya Fedala and Jacques Young, raised questions about Khelif’s eligibility to compete in women’s sports. However, the authenticity of this report remains unverified.
The International Olympic Committee has maintained its support for Khelif, confirming she met all Olympic criteria for competing in the female category. In response to the controversy, Khelif is pursuing legal action regarding the alleged leaked medical records and has filed a complaint with French authorities concerning online harassment during the Olympics.
Despite the ongoing debate and social media backlash, Khelif’s achievements, including her Olympic gold medal and AP ranking, remain officially recognized. Clark topped the AP list for her outstanding impact on women’s basketball during her final college year and WNBA debut, while Biles was acknowledged for her historic Olympic performance.
