Imane Khelif was visibly emotional at the Olympics on Saturday (3 August) after her quarter-final win secured her a medal.
The Algerian boxer has been embroiled in a gender eligibility controversy in Paris following her victory over Angela Carini on Thursday (1 August).
Carini forfeited the welterweight round of 16 bout after just 46 seconds, but the situation is more complex than it appears.
The Italian fighter later clarified in an interview that she ‘didn’t succeed’ because she simply ‘couldn’t fight anymore’.
Khelif squared off against Hungarian Anna Luca Hamori on Saturday, and this match went the full distance.
She won by unanimous points decision, with all five judges awarding each of the three rounds in her favor.
Post-fight, the Algerian was seen emotional, draped in her national flag as she addressed the global media.
“I dedicate this medal to the world, and to all the Arabs and I tell you, ‘Long live Algeria!’” she told reporters following the fight.
“I want to tell the entire world that I am a female, and I will remain a female,” the boxer added.
By advancing to the semi-finals in Paris, Khelif is assured of at least a bronze medal.
However, her path to Olympic success has been fraught with challenges.
Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships after failing an unspecified gender eligibility test.
This disqualification was due to elevated levels of testosterone, according to the International Boxing Association.
Reuters reports that Khelif failed because IBA eligibility rules prohibit athletes with XY chromosomes from competing in women’s competitions.
Despite this, the International Olympic Committee has upheld the decision that Khelif is eligible to compete in this year’s Olympics.
IOC spokesperson Mark Adams stated: “Everyone competing in the women’s category is complying with the competition eligibility rules.
“They are women in their passports, and it’s stated that this is the case that they are female.”
Khelif has previously described her disqualification as a ‘conspiracy’, while her father, Amar Khelif, called the attacks on his daughter ‘immoral’.
He told Reuters: “It is not fair. She made us proud many times, she honored our country and our flag many times and she always made us happy with her results.
“These critics aim to destabilize her to fail in the wrestling ring but she is a champion and she will remain a champion.”
Meanwhile, Carini has received a substantial offer from social media influencer turned boxer Jake Paul, which could see her fight on one of his cards in the future.