"Why have women's sports at all if any mediocre male can compete in them?"- Riley Gaines takes a jab at Imane Khelif ahead of finals at Paris Olympics

By Janhavi Shinde

Modified Aug 07, 2024 09:46 GMT

Riley Gaines recently called out Algerian boxer Imane Khelif after the latter earned her spot in the 66kg women's boxing final at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She will lock horns with China's Liu Yang.

Khelif was featured prominently in the news after Italian boxer Angela Carini refused to continue her bout against her after just a minute in the Round of 16. She faced criticism during that time after a supposedly failed gender test came to light from the 2023 World Championships in Delhi, India - which has been explicitly rejected as arbitrary and lacking procedural integrity by the IOC - leading her to be deemed transgender by many observers.

Gaines, who has been a fervent advocate of the safety of women in sports and the exclusion of transgender athletes from women's sports, slammed the wrestler. A week after her bout with Carini, Khelif has advanced to the final round of the event after defeating Janjaem Suwannaphennng with winning points.

Upon reaching the final, the Algerian boxer drew criticism from the former University of Kentucky swimmer, who has referred to her as a "mediocre male."

"Imane Khelif is an Olympic finalist, contending for a gold medal, in women's boxing - as a male. Why have women's sports at all if any mediocre male can compete in them?" Riley Gaines said.

This has not been the only controversial incident at the Paris Olympics. The Opening Ceremony drew the world's attention for its extravagant displays, but one performance was criticized by fans, including Gaines.

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Riley Gaines criticizes 'Last Supper' parody act at Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony - "Satanic, blasphemous..."

Among its array of shows, the Opening Ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics included a re-enactment of Leonardo Da Vinci's biblical painting "The Last Supper" performed by drag queens.

Riley Gaines criticized the 'Last Supper' act at the Paris Olympics Opening Ceremony - Getty Images

Although the organizers intended to showcase the act as "diverse and inclusive," it ended up appalling fans all over. Riley Gaines, who practices the Christian faith, lashed out at the act.

"I feel heartbroken for the Olympic athletes (many of which are friends) [sic] who trained their entire lives to compete on that stage but will now have significantly fewer eyes watching and admiring because of the satanic, blasphemous display put on by the Olympic organizers," she said.

Apart from Gaines, famous personalities including Elon Musk have voiced their dissent over the performance.