Boxer Imane Khelif is going for gold in the big fight
The grotesque story ends with gold: Alongside joy and relief, persecuted boxer Imane Khelif also feels satisfaction after her final victory. The Algerian gives an answer to the controversy surrounding her and a second boxer from Taiwan.
In Algiers, fireworks painted the sky red, in her hometown, her family and neighbors proudly celebrated in front of a large screen, and Imane Khelif struck back in Paris. "I've given the most beautiful answer to all those who were against me and led a malicious campaign," the boxer said after her triumph at Roland Garros: "My answer is the gold medal."
After her clear points victory in the final of the 66 kg class against Chinese champion Yang Liu, the 25-year-old was carried out of the ring on her teammates' shoulders amidst thunderous cheers. With the medal around her neck, Khelif struck hard shortly after midnight - and chose harsh words after nearly two weeks of unfortunate discussions about her gender.
"Those who are against me are enemies of success," she said, emphasizing: "I am a strong woman with special powers, a woman like any other. I was born a woman, have always been one, and have only fought against women. I hope there will never be such attacks again." However, just seconds after her Olympic victory, it continued on social media: "A man won women's gold at the Olympics," "He is a man," and similar comments were posted on X.
In her small hometown of Biban Mesbah, where her neighbors fired off fireworks, her father Omar Khelif proudly told reporters: "This is Algeria's victory." In Algiers, where thousands were celebrating on the streets, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune declared: "We are all proud of you, your gold is Algeria's gold."
IBA reacts with grotesque press conference
The debate surrounding Khelif, which had been ongoing in the boxing world, intensified with the start of the Games. At the latest with her opening fight on August 1 against Italian Angela Carini, who threw in the towel after 46 seconds, the issue became a political one. The IOC and its president Thomas Bach felt compelled to issue a public statement. The IBA, not recognized by the IOC, reacted with a grotesque press conference.
In it, controversial IBA president Umar Kremlev claimed that Khelif and Taiwanese Lin Yuting, who also boxed for gold on Saturday, were biological men, as tests had shown. The IBA had excluded Khelif from the 2023 World Championship final, where she would have faced her Paris final opponent Yang. The IOC does not recognize the IBA's test results and called the association's actions unserious. "There was never any doubt" that Khelif and Lin "are women," Bach said.
Following the controversy, Imane Khelif firmly stated, "My triumph at Roland Garros is my answer to those who questioned my gender." Despite her Olympic victory, harsh comments persisted on social media, with people claiming, "A man won women's gold at the Olympics."
In response to the IBA's provocative press conference, IOC president Thomas Bach dismissed their test results, declaring, "There was never any doubt that Khelif and Lin are women."
