Algerian boxer Imane Khelif broke down in tears after securing at least one bronze medal on Saturday after controversy erupted over her inclusion in the 2024 Olympics after her opponent abandoning a fight after 46 seconds two days before.
Khelif’s gender identity became a lightning rod, sparking an outcry online and a statement from the IOC confirms her eligibility to participate.
Khelif won her match against Anna Luca Hamori of Hungary 5-0 with Algerian fans in Paris showing their support.
There was also a group of Italian fans on hand to support Khelif after Angela Carini, an Italian boxer, abandoned her fight the other day, drawing attention to the controversy.
The conversation surrounding the boxer quickly turned toxic as Khelif, who is biologically female but failed the gender eligibility test in 2023, fueling the false belief that she was a trans woman.
The failed tests came from the International Boxing Association, whose criteria are disputed 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 followed shortly after Khelif beat a Russian boxer.
“I’ve never hit like that,” Carini told reporters after retiring. “It is impossible to continue.”
Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting was also disqualified by the IBAbut has been allowed to compete by the IOC.
Hungary’s boxing federation sent letters protesting Saturday’s fight to both the IOC and the Hungarian Olympic Committee.