“I Offer My Full Support to Every Female Who Has Been Subjected to Unnecessary Criticism in What Should Be Their Time to Shine”: How Saudi’s Princess Reema is Championing Women in Sports
Her Royal Highness, who is also KSA’s ambassador to the United States and a member of the IOC, shared a touching message in a speech over the weekend, reaffirming her commitment to advocating for female athletes from all over the world
HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al-Saud has been a staunch supporter of Saudi athletes throughout the Paris 2024 Olympic games, cheering on Dunya Aboutaleb during her taekwondo games and swimmer Zaid Alsarraj during his heat – but in the wake of the harassment and bullying Algerian boxer Imane Khelif faced, with false accusations regarding her gender and whether she should be competing in the women’s division (the IOC has confirmed multiple times Imane was born female and is competing in the correct division), the Princess clearly felt more needed to be done for women facing “unnecessary criticism.”
As a member of International Olympic Committee (IOC) she made an important speech over the weekend, addressing the committee and defending Imane’s wins while also condemning the misinformation circulating regarding her gender.
“Imane Khelif is a woman. She was born a girl and has lived her entire life as a female – however despite this joint statement there has been continuous misreporting based on incorrect information that has caused immeasurable pain. This is not only unacceptable but this is absolutely heart-breaking,” Her Highness said.
“Imane has worked her entirely life at becoming an Olympian, competing in front of the world – and it’s a journey that those in this room know is filled with grit and persistence. And as is the nature of Olympians She represents the most superior capability and capacity. This is what makes these game so spectacular. But nobody has the right to deny her womanhood and continuing to push false narratives against her is an attempt to rob her of her disnigty and her merit,” she continued.
“So I stand here today, in front of this distinguied committee, and I say this can’t continue. Women Olympians are elite, they train to be the best of the best, and it is that collective failure of all of us that we still have this conversation.”
“And so I think this conversation is more paramount than ever. If a female stays silent she’s viewed as accepting the misreport or weak; if she speaks out she is branded as defensive and I believe athletes should be focusing on their performance, not having to justify their existence. No athletes should be bullied or ridiculed for their appearance. No athletes should have their wins, their talent and achievements that they’ve developed over a lifetime, weaponized against them because what eclipse appearances, ladies and gentlemen, is talent.”
“These Olympics are a time to celebrate diversity with athletes hailing from all the corners of the globe, but, ladies and gentlemen, you know, women don’t look, speak or act singularly, each woman is performing in her respective sport she is unique.”
“The only commonality is the determination to make it to the top. And when Imane won her quarter final fight and fell to her knees in tears, every woman who has ever felt isolated, mocked or had been told that they didn’t below, they fell with her. When she rose, they rose with her.”
“So today I offer my full support, not only to the IOC and the brave and bold statements they have made, but to every female who has been subject to unnecessary criticism in what should have been their time to shine and reap.”
“To the general public and to humankind I ask that you look at human athletes and look at what they’ve endured, and ask yourself ‘What if it was your daughter?’ ‘What if it was your female friend or relative?’ Your words matter and our behavior matters. Kindness and human dignity must prevail every single time.”
“And to every girl that thinks she sits just a little outside of the box, outside of the norm, if you see a racket pick it up. If you see a soccer ball, kick it. And if you see a track, run as fast as you can.”
Watch HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar Al-Saud’s Full IOC Speech Here:
Read More About Team Saudi’s Participation At The Olympics Here:
How Saudi’s Princess Reema bint Bandar Al Saud is Supporting KSA Athletes At The Paris 2024 Olympics
Team Saudi’s Dunya Aboutaleb Wins Taekwondo Match Against Team Israel’s Avishag Semberg
Lead image courtesy of Instagram/@rbsalsaud