Martina Navratilova scandalized by controversial Olympics boxer Imane Khelif's Female Athlete of the Year honor

Martina Navratilova was unpleasantly surprised when Imane Khelif received the third-highest number of votes in the AP Female Athlete of 2024. The Algerian boxer became the center of controversy at the 2024 Paris Olympics over claims that she was a biological male.

74 sports journalists from the Associated Press and its members had their say on who the female athlete of the year was. Leading with 35 votes, rising basketball phenomenon Caitlin Clark took home the award followed by gymnast marvel Simone Biles, who received 25 votes. Imane Khelif finished in third place with four votes.

Martina Navratilova, who vehemently opposes the participation of biological males in female sports, has attacked Khelif on numerous occasions, even calling her participation 'deplorable'. She was outraged by the news and took to X (formerly Twitter) to give her reaction.

"wtaf," she wrote, an acronym of 'What the actual f**k'.

Khelif clinched the gold for her nation in the women's welterweight boxing event, however, her participation at the event became one of the biggest controversies in the sporting world this year. There were reports that the Algerian was actually a biological male with XY chromosomes but IOC (International Olympic Committee) spokesperson Mark Adams confirmed Khelif's gender as a biological female.

Other than Navratilova, Khelif's participation was criticized by many popular figures such as JK Rowling, Elon Musk, and Chris Evert.

"They are both biological males with DSD, with XY chromosomes" - Martina Navratilova on Imane Khelif and Barbra Banda

Martina Navratilova - Source: Getty

When a user on X recently opined that JK Rowling deserved a bronze trophy for her contribution toward women's rights, another user felt that she would appreciate it if the Harry Potter author wouldn't use transsexuals as collateral damage.

"I only wish she could speak up for women without attacking transsexual people wholesale. There is a way to do that," the user said.

However, Martina Navratilova, who shares similar views as Rowling, defended the author.

"Except that is not at all what JK has been doing. I think you simply don’t know enough about the issue…Protecting women’s sex based spaces should be a no brainer yet here we are- putting male bodies(no matter the surgeries and hormones etc) and their feelings over those of women…."

When a user then questioned why Rowling was attacking Imane Khelif and Barbra Banda, a Zambian footballer, (both athletes have been criticized by Rowling and Navratilova) the American tennis legend responded:

"They are both biological males with DSD, with XY chromosomes… not attacking, just pointing out facts."

Though Martina Navratilova hasn't shied away from expressing her thoughts on such sensitive issues, she has been on the receiving end of staunch criticism from people defending Imane Khelif.