Thousands flood of Algerians the streets to celebrate Imane Khelif’s historic Olympic gold
Algerian celebration for gender row boxer Imane Khelif’s gold medal
In a stunning display of national pride, thousands of Algerians took to the streets to celebrate Imane Khelif’s historic victory.
She won the gold medal in the women’s welterweight division at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The celebrations were particularly vibrant, with street DJs and flares lighting up major Algerian cities.
This marked the country’s second gold medal in Paris.
The first was Kaylia Nemour’s gymnastics triumph, which ended a 12-year medal drought.
Khelif’s Triumph amidst controversy
Khelif secured her gold medal with a decisive 5-0 victory over China’s Yang Liu.
This victory concluded what has been described as the most impressive series of fights in her boxing career.
Her achievement comes against the backdrop of significant controversy, including a gender eligibility scandal.
The International Boxing Association had previously banned Khelif for allegedly failing a gender test. This decision sparked widespread debate.
Public and media reactions
El Khabar, a prominent Algerian news outlet, celebrated Khelif’s victory. The outlet also criticized public figures who had spread misinformation about her, including claims that she was transgender or a man.
The outlet described Khelif’s win as a form of revenge against the International Boxing Federation’s previous unfair decision that prevented her from winning the world championship against Liu.
The controversy surrounding Khelif extended beyond the boxing ring. Notable figures such as billionaire Elon Musk and former US President Donald Trump were involved in the international campaign against her.
Despite this, Khelif’s determination and resilience were widely praised. Celebrations also extended to the Philippe-Chartier Court in France, where the Algerian community fervently supported her.
Khelif’s victory also received an outpouring of support on social media.
Fans praised Khelif for overcoming unjust criticism and for her inspiring journey. Her efforts included selling scrap metal to fund her boxing training and serving as a UNICEF ambassador. ‘
Her story resonated deeply with many, adding to the admiration for her achievements.
Supporters celebrated her win as a triumphant response to the vitriol and hate she endured.
On social media a, a viral showed thousands of Algerians took to the streets to celebrate Imane Khelif’s historic gold medal victory.
The video shared by @Popbase on X with the caption: “Thousands of people in Algeria celebrating Imane Khelif’s Gold medal victory at the #Olympics”
In the comment selection, many also conglatiion to Khelif’s win
One person said: she will go down in history as a legend.
A second wrote: Her supporters are celebrating while her haters are mad and crying.
While a third commented: She’s a legend and I love my people.
Another added: Huge W, we stan the queen of boxing
At the post-fight press conference, Khelif responded to the controversy by asserting her identity and qualification. She emphasized that the gold medal was not only a personal achievement but also a significant rebuttal to her detractors.
“I am fully qualified to take part in this competition. I am a woman,”
Khelif stated firmly. “I was born a woman, I’ve lived as a woman, and I’ve competed as a woman. My success tastes even sweeter because of the attacks I faced.”
Imane Khelif’s historic win at the Paris Olympics was a landmark achievement in her career. It also sparked broader discussions about gender, identity, and resilience in sports. Her victory underscored the ongoing debates surrounding these critical issues.