August 12, (THEWILL) – Imane Khelif, Algeria’s Olympic boxing champion, returned home to a hero’s welcome at Algiers airport on Monday.
Khelif, who won gold in the women’s 66kg category at the Paris 2024 Games, was joined by fellow medallists Kaylia Nemour and Djamel Sedjati. Fans greeted the athletes with cheers, particularly for Khelif, chanting “Tahia Imane” (long live Imane).
Khelif’s victory came amid controversy surrounding her gender. The International Boxing Association (IBA) had disqualified Khelif from its world championships in 2023, alleging that tests showed she was male. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which had taken control of the boxing competition in Paris due to issues with the IBA’s governance, disagreed with that allegation.
Addressing the situation, Khelif stated: “The answer lay in the results of each match. I wanted to show the strength of performance and the presence of women in general, and Algerian women in particular.” She thanked the Algerian people for their support during what she called a “relentless campaign” against her.
The 25-year-old boxer emphasised the importance of her victory for Algerian women, saying, “Algerian women are an example and a model for the whole world.” Khelif expressed gratitude for the opportunity to represent her country, adding: “We have restored Algeria’s honour and flown the Algerian flag in Paris, which is the most important thing.”
The triumphant return of Khelif and her fellow medallists marks a significant moment for Algerian sports. Their success at the Paris 2024 Olympics has brought pride to the nation and inspiration to aspiring athletes across the country.
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
