Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has won the gold medal in the welterweight final at the Paris 2024 Olympics, defeating Chinese world champion Yang Liu by unanimous decision. This victory comes after Khelif was embroiled in a gender controversy following a failed “gender test” at the 2023 World Championships, conducted by the International Boxing Association (IBA). Despite the IBA’s claims that Khelif did not meet their eligibility criteria, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed her to compete, defending their decision and emphasizing that she had never identified as male, transgender, or intersex.
During the Olympics, Khelif faced backlash, particularly after her first-round bout against Italian boxer Angela Carini, who left the ring after just 46 seconds, claiming she had “never been hit so hard in my life.” The controversy intensified when Carini initially refused to shake Khelif’s hand, though she later apologized.
After winning the gold, Khelif celebrated by being carried around the arena on the shoulders of her trainer. She used the opportunity to speak out against bullying, urging people to uphold the Olympic principles and refrain from attacking athletes online. In a recent interview, Khelif stressed the damaging effects of bullying, saying, “It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit, and mind.”
Khelif’s victory marks a significant achievement for her and a powerful response to the criticism she faced. Her success highlights both her resilience as an athlete and the ongoing discussions around gender and eligibility in sports.
