Imane Khelif gives true thoughts on critics after sealing place in Olympic boxing final
Controversial Algerian boxer Imane Khelif will compete in the gold medal women's boxing match on Friday after defeating Janjaem Suwannapheng in the semi-final
Imane Khelif was bullish in her appraisal of the controversy surrounding her participation at this year’s Olympic Games, declaring she “doesn’t care” about her critics’ accusations.
The Algerian boxer stomped into the women’s 66kg gold medal final following a unanimous points victory over Janjaem Suwannapheng on Tuesday night.
The triumph comes after the 25-year-old drew ire from many corners of the sporting and political world who deem her participation in the games to be unacceptable. Khelif was previously banned by the International Boxing Association (IBA) from last year’s world championships for failing a gender eligibility test.
The media storm escalated after Khelif was declared winner against Angela Carini following the Italian’s decision to quit just 46 seconds into the pair’s fight, leading to emotional scenes from Carini.
On Tuesday night, Khelif was backed by hundreds of flag-waving Algerian supporters as she won passage to the boxing gold medal match. And speaking after the bout, Khelif sent a spirited message to her detractors.
"I don’t care," she said. "I don’t care what anyone is saying about me with the controversy. All that is important to me is that I stay on the level and give my people the performance they deserve. I know I’m a talented person and this is a gift to all Algerians."
Khelif will meet Yang Lui in the ring at the gold medal match on Friday after the latter’s victory against Chen Nien-chin of Thailand in the semi-finals. And as was the case on Tuesday, Khelif is expected to have a heady following supporting her through the bout.
Amid the increasing contention of Khelif’s participation, the International Olympic Committee - along with the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit - released a joint statement standing by their decision to permit Khelif’s participation.
"Every person has the right to practise sport without discrimination," the statement said. "All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU)."
While the statement did not specifically name Khelif or Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting who also failed a gender eligibility test last year, it disputed "misleading" information circulating about two female athletes competing at the Games. Both boxers competed in international boxing competitions for many years in the women's category - including at the 2020 Games in Tokyo.
The IBA did not initially reveal the details of the eligibility tests failed by the two boxers. However, on Monday, the governing body - which no longer oversees Olympic boxing amid concerns about its integrity and links to Russia - clarified that Khelif and Lin’s test results revealed chromosomes that made them ineligible to compete in the women’s category.
Khelif was born female, as documents provided by her father clarified last week. The Algerian boxer has lost nine fights during her career.
Over the weekend, the fighter implored for an end to the bullying of athletes. "I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects.
"It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying."
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