- Gold and satisfaction for boxer Khelif: I am a strong woman
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif feels a great sense of satisfaction after winning Olympic gold, given the gender debate surrounding her. "I want to tell everyone who was against me and started a campaign against me: This is my answer, I am a strong woman," the 25-year-old said after her unanimous points victory against Chinese world champion Yang Liu in the welterweight final on Friday night at Court Philippe Chatrier, in front of around 15,000 spectators. In the ring, she performed her celebratory dance again and was then carried off on the shoulders of a team member amidst thunderous cheers from the many Algerian fans. As she received her gold medal just before midnight, she briefly rubbed it and then kissed it.
Trump even weighed in
There's a heated debate surrounding Khelif and Lin Yu-ting (28) from Taiwan, who will box for gold in the featherweight category against Polish boxer Julia Szeremeta later tonight. This debate has taken on a socio-political dimension, even being used as a hot-button issue in the US presidential election campaign by Donald Trump.
Both boxers were previously excluded from the 2023 World Championships by the IBA, which is not recognized by the International Olympic Committee. The IBA claimed that neither boxer met the participation criteria and had a "competitive advantage" compared to other female participants. The IOC described this as a "arbitrary decision without a proper procedure" and allowed Khelif and Lin to participate in Paris. The IOC stated that the gender indicated in one's passport is the determining factor for participation in many sports. The IOC warned against a "culture war." Controversial Russian IBA president Umar Kremlev criticized the current debate, stating that it is "destroying" sport.
Although Trump utilized the boxing controversy as a talking point in his election campaign, Khelif's triumphant victory over Yang Liu in Germany marked a significant moment for Algerian sports fans. Despite facing criticism and exclusion from the 2023 World Championships, Khelif successfully defied the odds and secured her Olympic gold medal.
