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Imane Khelif, one of the two boxers embroiled in a gender controversy at the Paris Olympics, pledged on Tuesday (August 6) to overcome the issue and make Algeria and the Arab world proud.
Khelif delivered an outstanding performance against Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng, advancing to the welterweight tournament final amid enthusiastic support from Algerian fans at a repurposed Court Philippe Chatrier.
The crowd erupted in cheers, waving Algerian flags and scarves, as Khelif was declared the winner.
“I don’t want to discuss the controversy,” Khelif told reporters.
Khelif, a silver medallist at the 2022 world championships, along with Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, have been at the center of attention at the Paris Games due to a dispute that has garnered significant media coverage and social media debate.
The International Boxing Association disqualified Khelif and Lin from the 2023 World Championships in New Delhi, citing in a chaotic press conference that sex chromosome tests deemed them ineligible.
Both Khelif and Lin are competing in the Olympics after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped the IBA of its governing status in 2023 and assumed control of organizing the boxing events in Paris.
The IOC dismissed the IBA-ordered tests as arbitrary and illegitimate, asserting there was no justification for them.
At the Paris Games, the IOC is adhering to boxing eligibility rules from the 2016 and 2021 Olympics, which do not involve gender testing.
In another event, Kellie Harrington defeated Yang Wenlu of China by split decision in the lightweight final, retaining her crown and becoming the first Irish boxer to win back-to-back gold medals.
After her victory, Harrington announced her retirement.
“The last hurrah, I’m done. I’ve always said I want to retire a champion, that’s it,” Harrington told Irish national broadcaster RTE.
“This win gives hope to all these young kids and teenagers (pointing at the crowd). It inspires the people of Ireland, but this one was for me.”
Brazil’s Beatriz Ferreira and Taiwan’s Wu Shih-yi secured the bronze medals after losing their semi-final bouts against Harrington and Yang, respectively.
In women’s football, Brazil reached the Olympic final with a stunning 4-2 victory over world champions Spain in Marseille on Tuesday. They will face the United States for the gold medal.
Playing in their sixth Olympic semi-final, Brazil capitalized on several Spanish defensive errors to reach Saturday’s final at Parc des Princes, aiming for their first title against the four-time champions, the U.S.
Despite being without captain and top scorer Marta, who was banned for two matches after a red card in their final group stage game against Spain, Brazil went ahead six minutes in when a clearance by Spain keeper Cata Coll deflected off captain Irene Paredes into her own net.
The South Americans doubled their lead with a Gabi Portilho goal following an excellent pass from Yasmim in the final moments of the first half.
Captain Adriana made it 3-0 with a close-range header after a quick counterattack in the 72nd minute. An own goal by Duda Sampaio reduced the deficit five minutes from time.
Brazil’s substitute Kerolin secured the win by stealing possession and scoring early in stoppage time, before Spain’s Salma Paralluelo netted a consolation goal in the final minutes.
