The Philadelphia Eagles are well in the midst of training camp as they prepare for the 2024 NFL season. Like all sports fans, however, they are also transfixed by the ongoing 2024 Olympics which are being held in Paris, France. Perhaps a few of them are even contemplating whether or not they might be able to participate in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, which will feature flag football as one of the new competitions.
Also like all fans that have been following the Olympics, players have been posting, reposting, and sharing their reactions to events that take place. One of the most controversial topics surrounding the Games right now is the actual gender of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who knocked out Italian competitor Angela Carini in just 46 seconds.
There are many who believe and are claiming that Khelif is actually a transgender individual who used to be a man and is competing in women’s sports. Eagles stars Saquon Barkley and Darius Slay appear to share this belief.
Philadelphia Eagles Stars Saquon Barkley and Darius Slay Take a Clear Stance on Olympics Athlete Imane Khelif
As the controversy regarding Khelif’s gender took over social media, Barkley retweeted the following post:
He has since taken down his retweet, but not before fans saw that he had reposted it in the first place.
Darius Slay also is being criticized on social media for reposting a transphobic post that has since been deleted:
oj simpson: literally kills two people
darius slay: rest in peace oj 🕊️imane khelif: is a biological woman that beat another biological woman in an olympic match
darius slay: https://t.co/iMgjZDqArY— ruby (@rubythevalley) August 1, 2024
Fans were less than trilled with what Slay posted:
Darius Slay is one of the biggest incel losers in sports. No compassion for anyone and a hateful bigot.
Sees misinformation and runs with it. Tweets horrendous, awful things.
Should not be given an elevated platform to spew hatred. Just absolutely sickening to see.
Very sad.
— sam (@ANTETOK0UNMPO) August 1, 2024
how is darius slay homophobic and transphobic his last name is literally slay
— tess🪩 (@dollardawgnight) August 1, 2024
It is worth noting, however, the IOC has come out in defense of Khelif.
The IOC Releases a Statement Regarding the Gender of Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif
In a statement regarding the gender of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, the IOC said:
“We have seen in reports misleading information about two female athletes competing at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The two athletes have been competing in international boxing competitions for many years in the women’s category, including the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships and IBA-sanctioned tournaments.
“These two athletes were the victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA. Towards the end of the IBA World Championships in 2023, they were suddenly disqualified without any due process.
“The current aggression against these two athletes is based entirely on this arbitrary decision, which was taken without any proper procedure – especially considering that these athletes had been competing in top-level competition for many years.”
It is also worth noting that Algeria, where Khelif resides and is fighting for, is a Muslim nation. It is illegal to be a transgender person there.
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