Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who found herself at the heart of a gender controversy during the Paris Olympics, qualified for the final of the -66kg tournament on Tuesday, securing at least a silver medal.
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In a festive, excited and supportive Roland-Garros stadium, the 25-year-old Algerian beat Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng on points in the semi-finals by unanimous decision of the judges. She will face China’s Yang Liu in the final in a fight scheduled for Friday at 19:50 UT.
While she had burst into tears at the end of her victorious quarter-final, she this time celebrated her victory by jumping for joy, before running to hug her loved ones present in the stands.
Read also2024 Olympics: Imane Khelif, controversial Algerian boxer, proudly medalist
Khelif entered the ring, largely supported by the crowd, with Algerian flags brandished at the four corners of the Philippe-Chatrier Court. Shouts of “Imane, Imane!” accompanied her during the three rounds of the fight.
Backed by the IOC, Khelif is competing in her second Olympic Games after Tokyo three years ago, and has taken part in numerous women’s boxing tournaments without her participation attracting criticism.
Controversy…
The controversy that broke out in Paris Games originates from her exclusion from the World Championships in New Delhi in March 2023 on the grounds, according to the International Boxing Federation (IBA), that she had failed a test intended to establish her gender.
The IBA, a body not recognised by the Olympic world, refused to specify what type of test had been carried out, while refuting that it was an analysis of testosterone levels.
For the IOC, her eligibility is clear: she can compete in the women’s tournament at the Games. But New Delhi’s exclusion resurfaced when her first-round opponent, Italy’s Angela Carini, retired in the first seconds of their bout.
” False debate »
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni got involved, denouncing ” a fight that was not on an equal footing ” In the middle of the American presidential campaign, Donald Trump also took up the subject.
Several associations have denounced to the AFP ” a false debate ” led by conservative circles.
Taiwanese Lin Yu-ting (-57 kg), who qualified for the semi-finals in another category, also finds herself at the centre of a similar controversy. She must fight on Wednesday to try to reach the final.
The IOC, for its part, has repeatedly renewed its support for the two boxers.
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