Imane Khelif breaks silence amid opponent quitting controversial fight after 46 seconds
Imane Khelif has broken her silence after her Italian opponent abandoned their Olympic fight after 46 seconds.
The Algerian boxer has become somewhat the talk of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
It comes after the 25-year-old - who was born and raised as a girl - was disqualified from the 2023 World Championships for failing an unspecified gender eligibility test.
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Khelif and fellow Olympian Lin Yu-ting, a Taiwanese boxer fighting under 'Chinese Taipei', were disqualified due to the presence of an XY chromosome in their bodies, the International Boxing Association (IBA) claimed.
However, it is worth noting that the IBA was completely stripped of its Olympic credentials five years ago.
In the face of worldwide scrutiny, both athletes guaranteed themselves a medal after reaching the semi-final of the summer Olympics, which is being held in France for the first time in 100 years.
Khelif, who last year appealed IBA's decision before withdrawing that appeal later on, has now broken her silence after beating Hungarian boxer Luca Anna Hamori in the quarter-finals - two days after Angela Carini, of Italy, quit her fight against the Algerian just 46 seconds in.
Speaking in Arabic to SNTV on August 4, Khelif said: "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."
The boxer added: "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."
Khelif continued: "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."
The Olympic Committee previously released a statement reaffirming Khelif's eligibility to compete in the Games, saying that 'every person has the right to practise sport without discrimination'.
Khelif faces Janjaem Suwannapheng, of Thailand, in the semi-final tomorrow (August 6), while Yu-ting, who did not appeal the IBA's decision, will compete against Turkey's Esra Yildiz Kahraman.
If the two athletes better their opponents they will face off in the women's 66kg weight class boxing final on Friday (August 9).
Topics: Boxing, Olympics, Imane Khelif, Sport
Joe Yates