Last year, the International Olympic Committee made the significant decision to revoke its recognition of the International Boxing Association (IBA) as a global governing entity, citing various concerns related to ethics, financial practices, and governance issues. Additionally, the Olympic committee criticized the IBA’s gender testing procedures, labeling them as ‘illegitimate’ and unworthy of any further discussion. Khelif, who was raised as a girl and is identified as female on her passport, spoke about the impact of this controversy during an interview with SNTV on August 4. The 25-year-old athlete expressed in Arabic, “I urge everyone around the world to uphold the principles of the Olympics and the Olympic Charter, and to avoid bullying athletes, as it has profound consequences. It can devastate individuals, harm their mental well-being, and create divisions among people. Therefore, I implore them to stop the bullying. I maintain contact with my family twice a week and hope they are not too deeply affected. They are concerned for my well-being. With hope, I believe this crisis will lead to a gold medal, which would be the most fitting response.”
I believe the Olympic Committee has rendered a fair decision, and I am pleased with this outcome as it reflects the truth. I am indifferent to others’ opinions. My focus is on competing for a medal, and I am determined to strive for improvement, with God’s help. I will continue to enhance my skills, just like every other athlete. Khelif’s father also shared his thoughts with the Daily Mail, stating, “Imane has been passionate about sports since she was six, starting with football. The critics and rumors are intended to undermine her, as they do not wish for her to become a world champion. I encourage her to demonstrate her capabilities in the ring, and I hope she brings honor to Algeria and the Arab nations by winning the gold medal. She serves as our role model, inspiring us to emulate her and bring pride to Algeria and Tiaret.”
Miss Nepal Is Facing “Cruel” Reactions for Her Participation in Miss Universe 2023
Over the 71-year history of Miss Universe, this marks the very first participation of a plus-sized contestant. The 22-year-old Miss Nepal has etched her name in history by confidently showcasing her stunning physique. While many people rallied behind her, praising her beauty, a significant portion of the global audience also levied criticism. She candidly addressed these comments, shedding light on her experiences.
She glowed with confidence.
Jane Dipika Garrett expressed her pleasant surprise at the extent of her progress in the competition that took place in November 2023. Having harbored dreams of becoming a model, she confronted past struggles with low self-esteem. The overwhelmingly positive response she received during the competition served as a validating experience, and solidified her newfound confidence in embracing her own identity.
Garrett noted that she “did not expect to get that much applause on the stage.” She went on to explain that she “wasn’t expecting anything” and was only participating to represent her country and “to represent women all over the world.”
Opinions were divided.
Despite being praised by many around the world for her gorgeous looks, the 22-year-old said that she had also faced harsh criticism from many people. She admitted that some incoming messages were less than positive, reaching the point of being described as “cruel.”
Jane revealed, “I see things like, ’Oh, she’s a whale,’ or ’Why don’t you go to the gym?’ And things like that.” She continued, “It’s like they don’t even know my story. They don’t even know what I’m going through.”
She’s not letting her struggles stop her dreams.
The beauty contestant clarified that she grapples with a condition known as polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). This medical condition involves the overproduction of androgens by the ovaries, surpassing the typical levels found in women. PCOS manifests with various effects, including weight gain, menstrual irregularities, acne, and excess hair growth.
She noted that recently she had gained a lot of weight due to her condition, stating, ’’that’s also really taken a toll on my mental health and my self-esteem because I thought that I wasn’t good enough or that I wasn’t beautiful enough.’’
Nevertheless, Garrett underwent a journey of cultivating a positive mindset and finding comfort in her own skin. Observing her radiant confidence on stage, it’s evident that she has successfully achieved this self-acceptance journey.
We concur that Miss Nepal looks absolutely stunning, and we consider it a significant stride for the Miss Universe competition to embrace and celebrate the beauty and diversity of women’s bodies in all shapes and sizes. To delve further into the realm of Miss Universe and discover how previous winners are looking today, we invite you to explore this article.
Preview photo credit Miss Universe / YouTube, MARVIN RECINOS/AFP/East News
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