Since the Games began last week, Khelif’s gender has been a topic of controversy and online criticism. However, the 25-year-old athlete made history by defeating world champion Yang Liu in the women's 66kg category with a unanimous decision in front of 15,000 spectators, many of whom were part of the Algerian diaspora in France.
Addressing the doubts about her eligibility and gender, Khelif confidently stated, "I am fully qualified to take part in this competition. I’m a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman, I lived as a woman, I competed as a woman, there’s no doubt about that. [The critics] are enemies of success, that is what I call them. And that also gives my success a special taste because of these attacks."
The debate about Khelif's gender dates back to a ban she received last year, along with Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu Ting, after both failed a gender eligibility test administered by the International Boxing Association (IBA). The specifics of the test were not disclosed by the IBA.
Earlier this year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) stripped the IBA of its recognition as the governing body of boxing and removed it from the Olympics due to issues like corruption, poor governance, and lack of financial transparency. The IOC also criticized the IBA's gender eligibility tests, calling them "arbitrary" and "contrary to good governance."
Khelif addressed her long-standing association with the IBA after her victory, saying, "Since 2018, I have been boxing under their umbrella. They know me very well, they know what I'm capable of, they know how I've developed over the years, but now they are not recognized anymore. They hate me, and I don't know why. I send them a single message: with this gold medal, my dignity, my honor is above everything else."
The controversy around Khelif's gender intensified on social media last week after she defeated her Italian opponent Angela Carini in just 46 seconds, leading to baseless claims about her identity. Notably, author JK Rowling referred to Khelif as "male," and US presidential candidate Donald Trump declared, "I will keep men out of women's sports." Trump's vice-presidential nominee, JD Vance, also made critical comments, linking Khelif's victory to broader issues of gender policy.
Despite the criticism, Khelif's fans were unwavering in their support. Her matches were filled with enthusiastic supporters waving Algerian flags and chanting "Khelifa!" and "One, two, three, viva l'Algerie."
After her final match, thousands of fans remained in the arena to watch Khelif receive her gold medal as the Algerian national anthem played. She also received a congratulatory call from Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune.
In her message to the world, Khelif emphasized the importance of Olympic values and urged people to stop bullying athletes. "We have to perform as athletes. I hope we will not see any similar attacks on future Olympians," she said. She also highlighted the strength and determination of Algerian women.
Khelif's gold medal was Algeria's second at Paris 2024. Earlier, Algerian teenager Kaylia Nemour won gold in the women's uneven bars, becoming the first African athlete to win a gymnastics medal.
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