Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer who made her mark at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, is now stepping into the fashion world by posing for the November cover of Vogue Arabia. This bold move, just weeks after her participation in the Milan Fashion Week for the Bottega Veneta show, illustrates Imane’s new influence in a field where she expresses a decidedly assertive elegance.
At 25, Imane embodies a generation of athletes combining talent and assertive aesthetics. Under the lens of photographer Tarek Mawad, she appears powerful, dressed in monochrome leather and vinyl outfits, a true symbolic armor. Her piercing gaze and imposing posture convey the determination that has led her to the top of her sport.
A Champion Who Braves the Storms
Born in the city of Tiaret in Algeria, Imane discovered boxing in a small local club. Coming from a modest background, she dared to defy the norms of her surroundings by embracing a discipline often perceived as masculine in her conservative region. This path, fraught with obstacles, has forged her character. In 2024, she won Olympic gold, becoming a national heroine and an icon for many young women.
This fame, however, comes with sacrifices. Imane Khelif has had to face a wave of unfounded attacks, accusing her of not being a "real" woman. These rumors revived accusations already made by the International Boxing Association (IBA). In 2023, controversial gender tests imposed by the IBA led to her disqualification from the world championship. These accusations, dismissed by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for their lack of credibility, paradoxically launched her notoriety on an international level.
Cyberbullying and a Wave of International Criticism
Today, Imane Khelif faces another adversary, far more insidious than her opponents in the ring: cyberbullying. A hate campaign, orchestrated by certain public figures, reached its peak when former U.S. President Donald Trump mentioned her in a campaign video. He attacked her by suggesting that "men beat women to win medals," a statement that resonated with American conservative circles, adding a political dimension to the criticism aimed at Imane.
Her lawyer, Me Nabil Boudi, publicly denounced this attack, calling it an "absurd scene worthy of a bad campaign film." In Algeria, these remarks sparked outrage, reviving debates around prejudices and the respect due to female athletes. "No one has managed to shake my self-confidence," asserts Imane, determined not to give in to digital violence.
Between Boxing and Fashion, a Transformation into a Style Icon
In the pages of Vogue Arabia, Imane Khelif shines in intense and minimalist looks. Dark suits by Bottega Veneta, leather coats by Loewe, and Chopard jewelry enhance her androgynous allure. This staging is not just a tribute to her femininity: it embodies the values of strength and resilience that characterize her. Imane describes herself as an "ambitious woman," patient in the face of trials and determined in her dreams.
This photo shoot acts as a powerful visual response, challenging those who question her identity. More than an image, it embodies a message of resilience and confidence.
A Media Trial Shared by Other Icons
Imane Khelif joins, albeit reluctantly, the long list of celebrities targeted by rumors about their gender. Before her, stars like Sheila, an iconic singer, or Amanda Lear, who played with these rumors with elegant irony, had to defend themselves against transphobic speculations. Élodie Gossuin, a French beauty queen, or Lady Gaga, a global pop icon, also faced vile doubts about their femininity, sometimes choosing humor to respond, sometimes an eloquent silence. First ladies such as Brigitte Macron and Michelle Obama have also endured similar attacks, facing these destabilization attempts with dignity.
Imane could have succumbed to these rumors that sought to tarnish her sporting triumphs. But she chooses to stand tall, whether in the ring or in the fashion world, against media storms. Every rumor that labels her as transgender is but an insignificant whisper against her inner strength. Imane Khelif remains a strong woman, embodying courage and beauty, determined to make her mark in the history of boxing and perhaps in the world of glamour.
