Algerian boxer Imane Khelif triumphs in Olympic Gold amidst gender dispute
Algeria's Imane Khelif has spoken of the difficulty conservative life in Tiaret's semi-desert surroundings PHOTO:AFP
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif made history by winning gold in women's welterweight boxing at the Paris Olympics, defeating China's Yang Liu in the final. This victory is particularly significant given the controversy surrounding Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, who were previously disqualified from the 2023 World Championships due to gender testing.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) had deemed them ineligible based on a sex chromosome test, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which organized the boxing events in Paris, dismissed those tests and allowed both athletes to compete.
Khelif's supporters filled the stadium with Algerian flags as she secured her first Olympic medal and Algeria's first-ever gold in boxing. Janjaem Suwannapheng of Thailand and Taiwan's Chen Nien-chin took home the bronze medals.
This victory is a testament to Khelif's resilience and determination in the face of adversity, highlighting the ongoing debate surrounding gender testing in sports.