Algerian pugilist Imane Khelif welcomed home with triumphant procession following participation in Paris Olympic Games
She shared a video of the celebration to her Instagram story on a Friday, sparking wild cheers from the crowd as they waved back at her in return.
Images reveal her standing on the upper deck of a leisurely moving open-top bus, donning her gold medal and waving to the crowd in the bustling northern Algerian city, as the night sky bursts into life with hundreds of people lifting their cell phones to capture the moment.
Khelif became the center of worldwide focus following Italian boxer Angela Carini's abrupt withdrawal from their bout in just 46 seconds, and Khelif's subsequent victory in the women's 66kg welterweight gold medal match a week later.
Some spectators voiced concerns about Khelif's participation in the bout, referring to a 2023 decision by a discredited boxing regulatory body that denied Khelif entry in a women's tournament based on gender eligibility issues.
However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) vehemently supported Khelif's participation in the 2024 Games, with IOC spokesperson Mark Adams asserting, "She was born female, was registered female, lived her life as a female, boxed as a female, has a female passport."
The contest turned into a hotbed for a frequently misinformed discussion about women's participation in sports. It also led to a wave of online abuse, with transphobic commentators incorrectly labeling Khelif as "male" due to an alleged physical edge.
With the world's gaze upon her, Khelif advanced through the competition, received an overwhelming show of support from the audience, and finally claimed a gold medal.
"I'm really happy. For eight years, this has been my goal, and now, I'm the Olympic champion and gold medalist," she declared after the fight. "I've worked tirelessly for eight years, enduring no sleep and exhaustion."
Khelif secured one of Algeria's two gold medals at the Paris Olympics, with gymnast Kaylia Nemour clinching the other gold medal in the women's uneven bars.
Upon their arrival in Algeria, they were warmly welcomed by their country's president Abdelmadjid Tebboune, alongside runner Djamel Sedjati who bagged a bronze medal in the men's 800 meters.
Following her gold medal victory, her lawyer, Nabil Boudi, filed a legal complaint with the Paris prosecutors, accusing Khelif of suffering from "aggravated online harassment."
CNN's Kara Fox and Chris Liakos provided additional reporting.
Khelif's triumph in the boxing ring sparked widespread discussions about gender in sports, with many praising her perseverance and accomplishments in the competitive world of [sport]. Despite the online abuse and misinformation, Khelif's love for [sport] remained unwavering, driving her to push through obstacles and win the gold medal.
