Nicola Adams sparks fury with Olympics gender row dig after Imane Khelif semi-final win

A triumphant Khelif was ecstatic as she danced around the ring following her win on Tuesday night as she continues to compete in a tournament that has been at the centre of controversy.

Khelif's participation at the Paris Olympics came under fire from several critics due to the fact she'd been previously banned from last year's IBA (International Boxing Association) world championships for failing a gender eligibility test.

In her opening bout of the games against Italian Angela Carini, scrutiny heightened when her opponent quit after 46 seconds in order to "preserve" her own life having never been hit as hard as she was by Khelif.

The likes of JK Rowling and Caitlyn Jenner have been prominent critics of Khelif's inclusion at the tournament and Olympic boxer-turned-Strictly Come Dancing star Nicola Adams followed suit.

Adams, who represented Team GB in London for the 2012 games, first began to oppose Khelif's participation when she took to X following the Carini bout to post: "I’m about to say something."

Soon after, Adams began to share several posts regarding gender in sports, including urging her followers: "Research this DSD 46XY 5-ARD it explains everything."

She also reposted a post from an online commentator who called Khelif "male" and asked in a separate post: "What about creating an open category in sport? Or is the simplest route to complicated?"

Adams has insisted "I don’t hate trans people but they will have you believe I do", and returned to X in the hours after Khelif's semi-final victory to fan the flames of the debate even further.

Morning ,now where did I leave my gas and lighter 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/LDCLbTnGi9

— Nicola Adams (@NicolaAdamsOBE) August 7, 2024

Referencing the furious debate that has emerged following her online posts, Adam cryptically penned: "Morning ,now where did I leave my gas and lighter," followed by a laughing emoji.

After her latest foray into the controversy, the former boxer found herself on the receiving end of some rather irked reactions.

"Have an opinion but this mean girl attitude is sad to see," one fan fumed. "My daughter loved and supported you when your were on Strictly. However you’re not being a good role model now. Please stop and think. Joking about gaslighting isn’t the way."

Others were quick to criticise Adams for her choice of language given much of the UK is in the clutches of violent rioters

"So whilst rioters have set fire to hotels with people in it, and blocked entrances so they can’t leave… you want to know where your gas and lighter are? Oh, Nicola," a second X user hit out.

And a third echoed: "Wow. There are people in the UK who tried to burn asylum seekers alive in their accommodation a few days ago. This is such poor taste."

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Meanwhile, a fourth blasted: "You left your gas and lighter where you last used them, when you were burning down your legacy as a worthy role model."

And another argued: "Disappointing. You could choose make your point over how DSD should be dealt with in sport whilst still showing some compassion to the human beings at the centre of this controversy."

However, the former Team GB athlete did receive praise from several followers who applauded her for standing by her stance.

"Tons of respect for you Nicola, holding your ground for what you know is right," one follower said amid the uproar. (sic)