Algerian boxer Imane Khelif reached the semi-finals of the boxing tournament in the under 66 kilo category and is already assured of bringing home a medal for Algeria, the first for the country in these Olympic Games. Already a nice reward for the one whose last days have been polluted by the controversy over her supposed hyperandrogenism.
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From our special correspondent at Arena Nord,
In terms of media coverage, Imane Khelif had nothing to envy, this Saturday, August 3, from the stars of the games like the French Léon Marchand or the American Simon Biles. For the first time since the beginning of these Olympic Gamesthe press had massively invested the Arena Nord in Villepinte where the boxing events take place. To the point of having to jostle – literally and figuratively – to make way for a place in the mixed zone.
The object of their keen attention is none other than the Algerian boxer Imane Khelif who could have done without all the controversy triggered after her first quick fight against the Italian Angela Carini who gave up after 46 seconds.
” I have been tired for years »
And seeing her approach the journalists, her face marked, in tears, one can guess how much this controversy has polluted her head these last two days. Because neither the IOC press release stating that ” All athletes participating in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games boxing tournament comply with the competition eligibility and registration rules, as well as all applicable medical regulations “, nor the video of her father brandishing the family record book proving his daughter’s “femininity”, have eased the controversy.
But the Algerian was able to bring everyone back to the essential: this fight won against the Hungarian Anna Luca Hamori by unanimous decision which qualifies her for the semi-finals and assures her a medal. And what a medal! The first for Algeria in these Games. I am very happy to receive this medal after years and years of effort.confided Imane Khelif in tears. It is an honour for me, I have been waiting for these Paris Games for eight years. I am happy to win this medal. I want to show everyone that I am a woman. This medal will help me a lot, because I have been tired for years and years. I would like to thank everyone who came to support me “.
Imane Khelif will be Algeria’s second boxing medalist at the Olympics after Hocine Soltani who won bronze in Barcelona 1992 and gold in Atlanta 1996.
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