Boxer Khelif cries and gives emotional interview
The pressure is immense, but Imane Khelif holds her ground. The Algerian boxer has secured a medal after her quarterfinal victory. The atmosphere in the hall is intense. Opponent Anna Luca Hamori graciously accepts defeat, despite having stirred the debate around Khelif beforehand.
The spotlight and countless cameras were on her, and Imane Khelif soaked up the attention. She punched the boxing ring mat with her fist, then slowly left the scene of her triumph, tears in her eyes. "This is a matter of dignity and honor for every woman. It's a victory for all women," she said shortly after her Olympic semifinal entry on BeIn Sports. "All Arabic people have known me for years. I've been boxing in international competitions for years." The International Boxing Association (IBA) had been "unfair" to her, she emphasized. "But I have God."
Imane Khelif now has an Olympic medal too. The Algerian boxer won her quarterfinal on Saturday against Hungary's Anna Luca Hamori in the 66kg class, winning 5-0. "I tried to behave sportsmanlike the whole time, and I have nothing bad to say about my opponent," said the Hungarian. Unlike her first victory, this time there was a handshake with the opponent after the verdict. Khelif was also cheered loudly by numerous Algerian fans in the boxing hall in the north of Paris.
Before the fight, which was accompanied by numerous international media representatives, Hamori had provocatively commented on the highly emotional discussion: "If she or he is a man, it would be an even bigger victory for me if I win." Afterwards, she explained: "I think the last few days have been difficult for everyone, for me and for her too, and that's why I wanted to show that I respect her and have no ill will towards her, because she can't help it. What happened, happened, we both got into the ring to fight, and she won, and in the future it could be different."
The President Congratulates
"You have represented Algeria, Algerian women, and Algerian boxing with dignity," wrote President Abdelmadjid Tebboune on Twitter: "We will be by your side, regardless of the results." On Tuesday evening, Khelif will fight against Janjaem Suwannapheng (Thailand) at 22:34 in Roland Garros for a place in the final. She is guaranteed a medal, as both semifinal losers will receive bronze.
That so many journalists were interested in Khelif's words in the North Paris Arena was also due to another reason. For days, Khelif has been at the center of a storm of debate about her gender. Last year, she was disqualified from the World Championships by the IBA after a gender test. The debate flared up again on Thursday after a fight that lasted just 46 seconds.
Two hard hits from the Italian Angela Carini in her round of 16 against Khelif eventually led to her tearful defeat. Immediately, populists like former US President Donald Trump and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni started complaining. The consensus: Men are beating up women in Paris. Case closed! As "Bild" reports, citing English media, Khelif told a journalist after the fight: "I am a woman!" On the way to the locker room, the trainers are said to have sworn at the journalists.
It's clear that nothing is certain in this highly complex situation. Instead, there are countless questions. For instance, there's the question of the unspecified gender test that the controversial world governing body IBA used to exclude Khelif and Lin Yuting (Taiwan) from the 2023 World Championships. Lin is the second athlete affected by the gender debate at the Olympic Games, and she will compete for an Olympic medal on Sunday morning in the women's 57kg class.
Father weighs in
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) sees the exclusion of Khelif and Lin by the IBA as a "discretionary decision." This is not surprising, as the IBA is not recognized by the IOC due to corruption and is therefore not responsible for organizing the boxing events in Paris. IOC President Thomas Bach stood up for the affected athletes on Saturday, stating, "There was never any doubt that they are women." In response to the heavy criticism, particularly from conservative circles, Bach emphasized that the IOC will not participate in a "politically motivated culture war."
Both athletes have been targeted with online harassment on social media. "The horrifying extent of online abuse" against the boxers "is yet another deeply disturbing example of the toxic, sexist, and racist discourse that has harmed women in sport and society," said Stephen Cockburn of Amnesty International in a statement from the Sports & Rights Alliance. "These women have done nothing wrong and are still being hunted with hate." Representatives of other organizations such as Human Rights Watch and ILGA World also supported the two athletes.
Imane Khelif's father has no doubts about his daughter's gender. "Imane is an example of Algerian femininity," Omar Khelif told the AFP news agency. "God willing, she will honor us with a gold medal and raise the national flag in Paris." If that happens, discussions about Khelif could reach a new peak.
Imane Khelif's boxing skills were put to the test again, this time in the semifinals. She faced Janjaem Suwannapheng from Thailand in the 66kg class at Roland Garros, securing a spot in the final with a hard-fought victory. The Algerian crowd cheered her triumphantly, knowing that a medal was now within her reach.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) had been a constant source of controversy for Khelif, leading to her disqualification from the World Championships last year after a gender test. However, her resilience and dedication to boxing had never wavered, and her journey to the Olympic semifinals was a testament to her strength and determination.
