Found boxer Khelif fights for Olympic gold
Imane Khelif is thrust into the spotlight of the Olympic Games due to a gender debate surrounding her. The Algerian boxer is heavily criticized, with critics demanding her exclusion. In the ring, however, she remains unfazed: in Paris, the 28-year-old advances to the final and fights for gold.
The hall was dominated by cheers of encouragement, but social media is filled with hate against her. For days, the gender of Imane Khelif has been debated - but the Algerian is not deterred by hate comments or her opponents. Khelif has advanced to the final in women's boxing at the Olympics in the 66 kg category. She defeated Janjaem Suwannapheng from Thailand clearly with 5:0. Algeria will therefore fight for gold on Friday evening.
Khelif had already secured a medal after her victory in the quarter-finals, as both losing semi-finalists receive bronze. The final opponent of the 25-year-old will be determined in the duel between Chen Nien Chin from Taiwan and the Chinese Yang Liu.
On Court Philippe Chatrier, Khelif could count on the support of the stands. Numerous fans cheered her on loudly with Algerian flags. Khelif was the dominant boxer in the ring from the beginning, her hits were enthusiastically celebrated. After the fight, she high-fived her opponent and they briefly embraced.
Yuting also has a medal secured
Khelif, like the Taiwanese boxer Lin Yuting, has been at the center of a gender debate for days. Both athletes were disqualified from the 2023 World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) due to an unspecified gender test. As the world governing body is not recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) due to numerous scandals and the IOC itself is organizing the competitions in Paris, Khelif and Lin were able to participate in the Games.
The debate surrounding Khelif and Lin, which escalated with the withdrawal of Khelif's opponent Angela Carini in the round of 16 after 46 seconds, was further fueled by the IBA on Monday. At an absurd and chaotic press conference in Paris, the connected Russian federation president Umar Kremlev claimed: "We have scientific tests that show they are male." An IOC spokesman said in response to the event: "The content and organization of the IBA press conference say everything you need to know about this organization and its credibility."
Lin Yuting, who cannot lose her bronze medal, can also take a step towards Olympic gold on Wednesday. In the class up to 57 kg, the 28-year-old will face the Turkish Esra Yildiz Kahraman in the semi-finals at 9:30 PM. Like Khelif, she has become a target of attacks in recent days.
Despite the ongoing gender debate and hateful comments, Imane Khelif's performance in the ring remains unshaken. She progresses to the final in the 66 kg category at the Olympic Games 2024 in Paris, aiming for gold. Similarly, Lin Yuting, also embroiled in a gender debate, prepares for her semi-final match in the 57 kg category, aiming to secure an Olympic medal and challenge for gold.
