Emotional words that Algerian boxer said after guaranteeing medal following gender eligibility controversy
Imane Khelif appeared emotional at the Olympics on Saturday (3 August) after a quarter-final win guaranteed her a medals.
The Algerian boxer has been at the centre of gender eligibility row in Paris following her win over Angela Carini on Thursday (1 August).
Carini abandoned the welterweight round of 16 bout after just 46 seconds, but that only tells half the story.
The Italian fighter explained in a later interview that she 'didn't succeed' because she simply 'couldn't fight anymore'.
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Khelif faced Hungarian Anna Luca Hamori on Saturday, a fight that did go the full distance.
Winning on an unanimous points decision, five judges scored each of the three rounds for Khelif.
After the fight, the Algerian appeared emotional as she had her native flag wrapped around her back while speaking to the world's media.
“I dedicate this medal to the world, and to all the Arabs and I tell you, ‘Long live Algeria!’” she told reporters following the fight.
"I want to tell the entire world that I am a female, and I will remain a female," the boxer added.
After progressing to the semi-finals in Paris, Khelif is guaranteed at least a bronze medal.
The journey to Olympic success has been far from smooth for the Algerian however.
Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships after she failed an unspecified gender eligibility test.
This was due to elevated levels of testosterone, the International Boxing Association claimed at the time.
Reuters reports Khelif failed because IBA eligibility rules prevent athletes with XY chromosomes from competing in women’s competition.
Nonetheless, the International Olympic Committee have stood by the decision that Khelif is eligible to compete in this year's Olympics.
IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said: "Everyone competing in the women's category is complying with the competition eligibility rules.
"They are women in their passports, and it's stated that this is the case that they are female."
Khelif has previously described her disqualification as a 'conspiracy', while her father, Amar Khelif, dubbed the attacks on his daughter as 'immoral'.
He told Reuters: "It is not fair. She made us proud many times, she honored our country and our flag many times and she always made us happy with her results.
"These critics aim to destabilize her to fail in the wrestling ring but she is a champion and she will remain a champion."
As for Carini, she's received a huge offer from social media influencer turned boxer Jake Paul, which could see her fight on one of his cards in the future.
Callum Jones