Featured Image Credit: MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images
Topics: Olympics
Yasmeen Hamadeh
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has taken home gold in the women's welterweight boxing final at the Paris Olympics on Friday night (August 9).
The athlete beat China's Yang Liu on points, rounding up the match to a score of 5-0.
Throughout her Olympic run, Khelif has been subjected to intense controversy after Italy's Angela Carini abruptly requested to end their match after 46 seconds. Carini has since apologized.
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Khelif allegedly failed an unspecified gender eligibility test in 2023, subsequently resulting in her disqualification from the International Boxing Association's (IBA) World Championships.
The International Olympics Committee notably withdrew its recognition of the IBA as a global governing body last year, citing several reasons for doing so including issues with ethics, finance, and governance.
The Olympic committee further condemned the IBA's gender test, claiming it as 'not legitimate' and 'does not deserve any response'.
Khelif was born and raised as a girl and is listed as a female on her passport.
On August 4, the 25-year-old athlete opened up on the effects of the controversy to SNTV sharing in Arabic: "I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects.
"It can destroy people, it can kill people's thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying.
"I am in contact with my family two days a week. I hope that they weren't affected deeply.
"They are worried about me. God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal, and that would be the best response."
"I know that the Olympic Committee has done me justice, and I am happy with this remedy because it shows the truth.
"I don't care about anyone's opinion.
"I came here for a medal, and to compete for a medal. I will certainly be competing to improve (and) be better, and God willing.
"I will improve, like every other athlete."
Khelif's father also weighed in on the matter telling the Daily Mail: "Imane is a little girl that has loved sport since she was six years old, she used to play football.
"These critics and rumours aim to destabilise Imane, they don't want her to be the champion of the world.
"I tell her prove them wrong in the ring and I hope that she will honor Algeria and Arabic countries and win the gold medal. She is our role model, and we want to be like her and honor Algeria and Tiaret."