George Takei, 87, sparks unlikely feud with Logan Paul as pair clash over Imane Khelif Olympics row: ‘Hope she SUES!’
George Takei has waded into the ongoing saga surrounding this year’s Olympic Games and the decision to allow two boxers to take part despite previously failing gender eligibility tests.
Algerian athlete Imane Khelif, 25, and Chinese Tapei’s Lin Yu-ting, 28, both won their opening bouts of the games as the debate around their inclusion continues.
On Thursday, Khelif’s Italian opponent Angela Carini was left in tears when she abruptly halted the bout, citing that she had to “preserve her life” due to the power of the Algerian.
While on Friday, Yu-ting saw off Uzbekistan’s Sitora Turdibekova in their face-off thanks to a unanimous decision by the judges.
Both athletes were banned from competing at the International Boxing Association (IBA) world championships last year after failing gender eligibility tests but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has given them the green light to compete in Paris.
Takei has joined the list of celebs jumping to the athletes’ defence over their inclusion after they faced stern opposition from the likes of JK Rowling, Caitlyn Jenner and Logan Paul – with the latter falling into the Star Trek star’s sights.
Paul had stated on social media site X that Khelif’s victory over Carini was evidence of “the purest form of evil unfolding right before your eyes”.
Takei took issue with Paul’s full statement as he replied: “I hope she sues you into oblivion for defamation and crushes your network’s life dream.”
Paul, who’d previously branded Khelif a man in the post that caught Takei’s attention, issued a correction for his remarks.
After Takei’s blistering response, Youtuber-turned-boxer Paul penned: “OOPSIES. I might be guilty of spreading misinformation along with the entirety of this app.
I hope she sues you into oblivion for defamation and crushes your network’s life dream. https://t.co/AleUBWn3wB
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) August 1, 2024
“Although she’s been previously disqualified for failing a ‘gender test’ and has XY chromosomes, some sources say Imane Khelif was born a biological woman.
“I stand by my sentiment that biological men should not compete against biological women in any sport and if you disagree you’re a sick f***.”
Takei wasn’t the only public figure to jump to Khelif’s defence following her victory over Carini as musician Billy Bragg similarly hit out at critics.
However, the 66-year-old sparked fury when he compared the reaction to Khelif’s Olympics inclusion to that of the protests that have followed after the horrific Southport stabbings that saw three young girls murdered in the UK last week.
Bragg wrote to his 323.4k X followers: “Imane Khelif is a female boxer who has been defeated 9 times by women opponents.
“Those claiming she’s a man have the same aims as those who claimed that the suspect in the Southport stabbings was a Muslim asylum seeker: to stir up hatred against a marginalised community.”
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Elsewhere, activist and political commentator Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu decided to attack Italy’s Carini with her savage take on the saga.
“White Woman tears should be studied ….they’re so ridiculous. ‘I have never been hit so hard in my life.’ she says. Imagine starting an international incident because you got punched by a biologically born WOMAN in Women’s Boxing Match & crying about it,” the ITV and Channel 5 regular penned.
“Angela Carini can take her fake tears to God and leave #ImaneKhelif the hell alone.” (sic)
The IOC has defended its decision to allow both athletes to take part in the Olympics amid the furore, slamming “misleading information” about the boxers.
“The IOC is committed to protecting the human rights of all athletes participating in the Olympic Games as per the Olympic Charter, the IOC Code of Ethics and the IOC Strategic Framework on Human Rights. The IOC is saddened by the abuse that the two athletes are currently receiving,” it added.