Algerian boxer Imane Khelif claimed the gold medal on Friday at the Olympics 2024 in Paris, triumphing after a challenging journey that was marred by widespread scrutiny and online abuse targeting her gender identity.
Khelif secured her victory in the women’s welterweight final by defeating China’s Yang Liu with a 5:0 decision. The match, held at the iconic Roland Garros, saw the audience erupt in cheers as they chanted Khelif’s name, waved Algerian flags, and celebrated every punch she delivered.
Following her unanimous win, Khelif leaped into the arms of her coaches, one of whom lifted her onto his shoulders for a celebratory lap around the ring. She waved an Algerian flag she grabbed from the crowd, visibly overjoyed with her achievement.
"For the past eight years, I’ve dreamed of this moment, and now I am the Olympic champion and gold medalist," Khelif shared through an interpreter. Addressing the scrutiny she faced, she added, "These challenges make my victory even sweeter because of the adversity I overcame."
Khelif expressed her hope that future Olympics would focus purely on athletic performance, stating, "We are here to compete as athletes, and I hope we won’t see similar attacks in upcoming Olympic Games."
Despite facing considerable scrutiny from world leaders, celebrities, and online communities, Khelif has been warmly embraced by fans in Paris. The relentless questioning of her eligibility and false claims regarding her gender have highlighted broader debates about gender identity in sports.
This controversy began when the Russian-influenced International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified Khelif and Taiwan’s Li Yu-ting from last year’s boxing championships, citing an alleged failure in an eligibility test for women’s competition. The IBA’s decision has been widely criticized for its lack of transparency.
"I am fully qualified to compete in this event," Khelif stated firmly on Friday. "I am a woman, born and living as a woman, and I meet all the qualifications to be here."
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) took a historic step last year by permanently banning the IBA from the Olympics, citing ongoing concerns about its governance, fairness, and financial practices. The IOC condemned the IBA’s arbitrary sex testing, describing it as deeply flawed and reaffirmed the rights of Khelif and Lin to compete in Paris. IOC President Thomas Bach personally defended the athletes, calling the criticism against them "hate speech."
Reflecting on her journey, Khelif remarked, "I’ve competed in IBA events since 2018, but now they seem to hate me, and I don’t understand why."
"I sent a powerful message with this gold medal: my dignity and honor are paramount," she added.
Despite the IBA’s tarnished reputation, the controversy surrounding the fighters has only intensified, fueled by Russian disinformation campaigns. However, this hasn’t deterred Khelif and Lin, who have both delivered standout performances at the Olympic Boxing 2024.
Khelif’s dominance in Paris reached new heights as she won every round on every judge’s scorecard in all three of her full-length bouts.
This gold medal marks Algeria’s first in women’s boxing, and Khelif joins Hocine Soltani (1996) as the nation’s second boxing gold medalist, securing Algeria’s seventh Olympic gold in history.
While Khelif enjoyed immense support from flag-waving fans in Paris, she has also become a national hero in Algeria, where many view the global scrutiny of Khelif as an attack on their country’s honor.
Dubbed "The Night of Destiny" by local media, Khelif’s final match was broadcast on large screens across Algiers and other cities. In Tiaret, her hometown, workers braved the summer heat to paint a mural of Khelif on the gym where she first learned to box.
"Imane has turned the criticism of her femininity into motivation," said Mustapha Bensaou from the Tiaret gym. "The slander has only strengthened her resolve... It’s a bit of a blessing in disguise."
Khelif won the first round against Yang on all five judges’ scorecards, showing slightly less aggression than earlier in the tournament. She landed a powerful combination in the second round that sent Yang back against the ropes, although Yang responded with a series of punches and fought valiantly.
Khelif secured the second round and comfortably took the third, ending the bout with a triumphant shuffle before embracing her opponent. As the verdict was announced, Khelif saluted the crowd, pumping her arm in joy.
During the medal ceremony, she smiled broadly, waving to the audience before kissing her gold medal. The four medalists, including the two bronze winners, posed for a group selfie on the podium, raising their clasped hands in celebration.
Khelif’s gold medal victory capped off nine-days of Olympic Boxing 2024 that began in an unusual fashion. Her first opponent, Italy’s Angela Carini, conceded their match just 46 seconds in, citing the impact of Khelif’s punches.
The incident quickly garnered attention, with figures like former U.S. President Donald Trump and "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling making false claims about men competing in women’s sports. Carini later expressed regret and apologized to Khelif.
Throughout her career, Khelif has never achieved such success in an international tournament as she did at the Olympics 2024. Initially portrayed by critics as an unbeatable force, Khelif exceeded all expectations, solidifying her place among the best Olympic boxers in the world.
On Saturday, Lin will fight for a gold medal in the final bout of the Olympic boxing championships, taking on Poland’s Julia Szeremeta in pursuit of Taiwan’s first boxing gold medal.
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