Paris — Algerian boxer Imane Khelif clinched the gold medal in the welterweight division at the Olympics on Friday, defeating China’s Yang Liu in a unanimous decision. Her victory came despite facing a storm of scrutiny and unfounded questions regarding her gender.
Khelif’s triumph was celebrated by a vibrant Algerian crowd at the renowned Roland-Garros Stadium, where chants of “allez Imane” and “1, 2, 3 Algérie!” echoed throughout the venue. “I’m very happy, God made this happen, it’s my dream!” Khelif expressed jubilantly after the match.
Triumph Over Adversity
Khelif’s gold medal is the culmination of eight years of dedication and hard work. She proudly held up her medal for the cameras, dedicating it to Algeria and the entire Arab world.
Long live Algeria. Algeria deserves more than just a medal. I call this a medal of honor. Thank God for everything,
she said.
Controversy and Challenges
Khelif’s journey to victory was overshadowed by controversy. After her opening match victory over Angela Carini, which ended in just 46 seconds, questions about Khelif’s gender resurfaced. These issues were exacerbated by previous allegations from the International Boxing Association (IBA) regarding both Khelif and featherweight boxer Lin Yu-Ting of Chinese Taipei.
The IBA had conducted tests in 2022 and 2023, raising doubts about the gender of these athletes based on their chromosomes. However, the IBA has not disclosed details of these tests, and the organization’s president, Umar Kremlev, has been criticized for his vague and rambling responses to media inquiries.
Reactions and Responses
Despite the controversies, Khelif’s performance in the ring was undeniable. Silver medalist Yang Liu acknowledged Khelif’s exceptional skills without fueling the gender debate.
My opponent is an exceptional competitor and performed very well
Liu commented.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has declared both Khelif and Lin eligible to compete based on the genders listed on their passports. The IBA’s credibility has been challenged, especially as it is financially backed by Russian state-owned Gazprom, and both the IOC and USA Boxing have distanced themselves from the IBA.
Diplomatic Backlash
The gender debate surrounding Khelif reached international diplomatic circles, with Russian and Algerian diplomats sparring over the issue at the United Nations. Russian Deputy U.N. Ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy criticized the presence of what he termed “men fighting women” in the Olympics, while Algerian diplomat Toufik Koudri defended Khelif, asserting her identity and condemning the controversy as politically motivated.
A Historic Achievement
Khelif’s father and supporters have firmly stood by her, emphasizing that she was raised as a girl and is a “living legend” in the world of boxing. The Algerian Olympic Committee praised her historic achievement, noting that Khelif is the first Algerian boxer to win an Olympic gold medal.
In summary, Imane Khelif’s gold medal win is not only a personal triumph but also a significant milestone for Algerian sports, achieved amid and despite significant controversy and scrutiny.
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