Olympic boxer Imani Khelif gets hero’s welcome in Algiers

Olympic boxing champion Imani Khelif says she has won for Algerian women. Algeria’s Paris Olympics medalists received a hero’s welcome at Algiers airport on Monday. Khelif was at the center of the gender controversy at the Olympics on her way to the women’s 66kg title. Junior gymnastics gold medalist Kylia Nemours and men’s 800m bronze medalist Jamel Sejati showed their medals to waiting fans. The crowd cheered Khelif with chants of “Tahiyya Imani” (Long live Imani). “The answer lies in the outcome of each competition,” she said. “I want to show the strength and presence of women in general, especially Algerian women.”

The International Olympic Committee took over boxing in Paris after losing patience with the International Boxing Association.

The International Boxing Federation, led by Kremlin-linked oligarch Umar Keremlev, hit back during the Olympics, saying it disqualified Khalif and Taiwanese fighter Lin Yu-ting from world championships last year because test results showed “they were male.” The AIBA had allowed both boxers to compete in Tokyo three years ago.

Khalif, 25, gave what she called a “relentless struggle” speech on Monday.

She said she wanted to “thank the Algerian people who have supported me and given me strength during this ordeal.”

“Algerian women are role models and examples for the whole world,” the boxer said. “Thank God, we restored the honour of Algeria and flew the Algerian flag in Paris, and that is the most important thing.”

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