Algerian boxer Imane Khelif burst into tears after securing at least a bronze medal on Saturday after controversy exploded over her inclusion in the Olympics following her opponent abandoning a fight after 46 seconds two days prior.
Khelif’s gender eligibility became a lightning rod, drawing outcry online and a statement from the IOC confirming her eligibility to participate.
Khelif won her bout against Anna Luca Hamori of Hungary 5-0 with Algerian fans in Paris putting on a show of support.
There was also a group of Italian fans in attendance to support Khelif after Angela Carini, an Italian boxer, abandoned her fight the other day, which brought attention to the controversy.
The conversation around the boxer quickly turned toxic as Khelif, who is biologically female but failed gender eligibility testing in 2023, sparking false belief that she was a transgender woman.
The failed tests came from the International Boxing Association, who’s criteria is questioned by the IOC.
Khelif, at the time, called it “a big conspiracy” — and some have noted that the IBA was controlled by Russian Umar Kremlev at the time of her disqualification, which shortly followed Khelif beating a Russian boxer.
“I’ve never taken a punch like that,” Carini told reporters after withdrawing. “It’s impossible to continue.”
Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting was also disqualified by the IBA, but has been allowed to compete by the IOC.
