Algeria’s Imane Khelif secured her spot in the women’s boxing final at the 2024 Olympic Games with a win over Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng before opening up on all the abuse she’s received since that controversial match vs. Italian Angela Carini.
Imane Khelif (Photo by MAURO PIMENTEL/AFP via Getty Images)
The 25-year-old cut an emotional figure as she broke down in tears after beating Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori in Saturday’s quarter-final but was jumping for joy following her semi-final triumph on Tuesday.
She would also discuss the online bullying she’s had to deal with amid the claims of her being transgender while speaking to SNTV in an interview conducted in Arabic.
“God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal, and that would be the best response,” she said (H/T the Associated Press). “I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects.”
Imane Khelif Is Grateful To The IOC For Having Her Back
Imane Khelif, who admitted her parents are worried about her, added that bullying “can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying.”
She thanked the International Olympic Committee for having her back and doing her “justice” as well.
IOC president Thomas Bach has indeed spoken out in the Algerian’s defense, insisting she was eligible to fight as a woman in the Olympics because she was born and raised female and has competed as a woman in the past. He pointed out that she is also registered as a woman on her passport.
Khelif will face China’s Yang Lui in the welterweight women’s final this Friday. Given the controversy still surrounding the Algerian, the match should generate a lot of buzz.
News
LeBron James faces backlash for ‘snapping’ at young fan after Olympics win, what’s going on
LeBron James has received backlash after he pointed in the face of a young kid who was asking for a picture following Team USA’s basketball Olympic gold medal LeBron James has been slammed for his interaction with a young fan (Image:…
Dave Portnoy banking on Caitlin Clark to win him $10m from ambitious wager
Barstool Sports CEO Dave Portnoy once again places a massive wager, picking Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever to win the WNBA title this October. Dave Portnoy has consistenly backed Caitlin Clark during her rookie year (Image: Getty Images) Barstool’s Dave Portnoy has launched…
Taylor Swift Blocks Kanye West From No. 1 Debut as ‘Tortured Poets’ Tops ‘Vultures 2’
Taylor Swift’s ‘TTPD’ scores a 14th week at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart with Kanye West’s ‘Vultures 2’ coming in at No. 2 Taylor Swift’s The Tortured Poets Department has earned its 14th week at No. 1 on the Billboard…
Shocking News: Just as Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce Romance Heats Up, Donna Kelce Revealed that Travis and Ex-Girlfriend Kayla Nicole are Expecting
In a surprising turn of events, the blossoming romance between pop superstar Taylor Swift and NFL player Travis Kelce has taken a dramatic twist. Just as the couple’s relationship appears to be heating up, it has been confirmed that Kelce…
Steph Curry ‘night night’ celebration explained as USA hero delivers iconic Olympics image
Stephen Curry produced an iconic moment in the final seconds of Team USA’s gold medal victory over France, draining a deep 3-pointer before celebrating with his signature ‘night night’ move Steph Curry performed his good night celebration as Team USA…
PHOTOS: Brittney Griner’s Wife Absolutely Stunned In Her Private “Dump” At The Paris Olympics
Cherelle Griner had the time of her life at the Paris Olympics as she cheered on her wife. Cherelle Griner (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) Two years after serving time in Russian custody, Brittney Griner won her third Olympic medal as she helped…
End of content
No more pages to load