Imane Khelif Named Most Searched Athlete of 2024

Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer, emerged as the most searched athlete of 2024 according to Google's Year in Search report, surpassing figures like Mike Tyson and Jake Paul. Khelif's popularity surged after winning the welterweight gold at the Paris Olympics, amid controversy over her gender eligibility, as she has XY chromosomes. Despite being disqualified in 2023 by the International Boxing Association, the IOC allowed her participation in the 2024 Olympics, sparking global debate. This controversy, highlighted by a swift victory over Italian boxer Angela Carini, captured worldwide attention and contributed to her top search status. Alongside Khelif, other athletes like Hardik Pandya and Shashank Singh from India also made it to the most-searched list. The year also saw significant sporting events like the Copa América and the UEFA European Championship dominate search queries.