After Algerian boxer Imane Khelif won a gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games, former President Donald Trump seized the opportunity to comment on her achievement during a rally in Bozeman, Montana. This occurred just hours after Khelif’s victory, which has been at the center of a significant controversy regarding gender identity and eligibility in sports. Trump utilized Khelif’s story in his speech to advance the culture wars that are raging in America ahead of the upcoming elections in November.
During his rally, Trump stated, “I want to congratulate the young woman who went from being a man to being a boxer. If you saw it, he won, she won, the gold medal,” while referring to the Italian boxer who withdrew from his match against Khelif. Trump repeatedly referred to Khelif as “he,” which has amplified the misunderstandings surrounding her identity.
The Olympics have always had a close connection to politics, a fact that became evident during the opening ceremony in Paris, which sparked outrage among religious groups and criticism from Trump. This relationship between sports and politics has existed since the Olympics were revived in the late 19th century as an opportunity for nations to compete without war.
“Sports are always pulled into political discourse due to the nature of competition where nations vie against one another for dominance. This nationalism means that at its core, the Olympics are about nationalism first and sports second,” stated Zein Murib, a political science professor at Fordham University.
In Paris, Russian athletes who supported the invasion of Ukraine were barred from competing, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) imposed bans on these athletes in team sports. Additionally, 32 “neutral” athletes participated in the games but were not allowed to take part in the opening ceremony.
As part of the political fervor leading up to the Olympics, a video was circulated that mocked Paris as a criminal city and criticized the games, which quickly spread on social media. This was just one example of how global events like the Olympics have become targets for online disinformation and propaganda.
Despite the political dramas, this edition of the Olympics is already being remembered as a great success, featuring impressive venues and a return of audiences to stadiums. On Sunday, Paris handed over the Olympic flag to the mayor of Los Angeles, who is now preparing for the 2028 Olympics.
“We learned a lot here in Paris as they dared to think differently,” said Casey Wasserman, chairman of LA 2028. “It’s a good lesson for us to take some chances,” he added.
The political and social dynamics at play during the Paris Games demonstrate that even Olympic achievements cannot be separated from the larger conflicts and debates in the world. Imane Khelif’s story is just one example of how sports often reflect the challenges we face in society.