Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif has been awarded a prestigious honor by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune following her impressive victory in the women’s 66-kilogram boxing category at the Paris Olympics.
Khelif clinched the gold medal with a swift and decisive win over her Italian opponent, securing victory in just 46 seconds. Despite her outstanding performance, Khelif's triumph was overshadowed by controversy over her gender eligibility, which sparked significant debate.
The 25-year-old boxer faced criticism from several high-profile figures, including X and Tesla CEO Elon Musk and "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling. Both individuals are named in a lawsuit filed by Khelif, who has publicly acknowledged the emotional impact of the public scrutiny. Former US President Donald Trump also referred to her as a 'man,' further intensifying the controversy surrounding her gender.
In addition to these challenges, Khelif and Taiwanese fighter Lin Yu-ting were disqualified from the 2023 World Championship by the International Boxing Association (IBA) due to issues related to gender eligibility tests.
Amidst the turmoil, Khelif was recently honored by Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune at a formal event in Algiers. The ceremony, held at the presidential residence, also celebrated fellow Algerian Olympic champions Kaylia Nemour and Djamel Sedjati. Khelif, who showcased a striking transformation reflecting her personal journey, received the recognition in a show of support from her home country.
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