Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif expressed her pride in representing her country's women as Algeria's medalists from the Paris Games were greeted with a grand reception at Algiers airport on Monday. Khelif, who faced gender-related controversies during her journey to winning the women's 66kg category, along with teenage gymnastics gold medalist Kaylia Nemour and men's 800m bronze medalist Djamel Sedjati, proudly displayed their medals to the enthusiastic crowd. The onlookers responded with cheers and chants of 'Tahia Imane' (long live Imane).
'The answer lay in the results of each match,' she stated. 'I aimed to demonstrate the power of performance and the significant role of women, especially Algerian women.' The International Olympic Committee assumed control of the boxing event in Paris after growing frustrated with the International Boxing Association. The IBA, headed by Umar Kremlev, a Kremlin-linked oligarch, retaliated during the Games by announcing the disqualification of Khelif and Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting from last year's world championships, citing their tests as indicating 'these are men.' However, the IBA had previously permitted both boxers to compete in Tokyo three years earlier.
Khelif, aged 25, addressed the 'relentless campaign' against her on Monday. She expressed her gratitude, saying, 'I want to thank the Algerian people who supported me through this ordeal and gave me strength.' 'Algerian women are a shining example and a model for the entire world,' the boxer declared. 'Thanks to God, we have upheld Algeria's honor and proudly flown the Algerian flag in Paris, which is the most significant achievement.'
