Topics: Boxing, Instagram, Olympics, Social Media, Sport, Twitter, Imane Khelif
A hungarian boxer is facing backlash after posting a 'disgusting' picture on her Instagram stories ahead of match with Algeria's Imane Khelif.
Khelif, who was disqualified from the International Boxing Association's World Championships last year after failing an unspecified gender eligibility test, has recently made headlines after her match with Italy's Angela Carini.
The pair's fight lasted for 46 seconds before Carini decided to end the match saying: "I went into the ring to fight. I didn't give up, but a punch hurt too much and so I said enough."
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Shortly after the controversy, Khelif's next opponent, Anna Luca Hamori, shared her thoughts on the situation and spoke on her preparation for their match saying: "I'm not scared. I don't care about the press story and social media.
"If she or he is a man, it will be a bigger victory for me if I win."
Following her comments, Hamori has been posting support she's been receiving from fans to her Instagram stories.
One post, however, has sparked immense controversy.
The boxer reposted a picture to her Instagram Stories this morning that sees an image of a woman preparing to fight against a satanic-looking bull in a boxing ring.
Based on the comments, fans believe it's not difficult to tell the offensive intention behind the picture or who the bull is supposed to reflect.
Users on Twitter were quick to flag the post, with one labeling it as 'so vile and disgusting.'
Another user chimed in saying: '[Imane] needs to sue.'
Some users are also calling for Hamori to be disqualified over posting that picture saying that she's 'disrespecting the Olympic honor/idea.'
Another user on Twitter wrote: 'This is literally harassment and bullying wtf she should face consequences for this.'
Hamori has since deleted the post off her Instagram Stories, but screenshots are going viral online.
As for Khelif, the International Olympic Committee released a statement on Thursday defending her eligibility to compete in the games.
"Every person has the right to practice sport without discrimination," the statement read.
"All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition's eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU)."
The IOC notably withdrew its recognition of the IBA as a global governing body in 2023. Per Reuters, the boxing association deemed it a 'tremendous error.'
The withdrawal came after an alleged influx of issues, including problems with finance, governance, and ethics.
UNILAD has reached out to Hamori for comment.
