Algerian boxer Imane Kherif, whose Olympic qualification was the subject of controversy two days ago after his opponent abandoned the bout 46 seconds into the match, was in tears on Saturday after at least winning a bronze medal.
Kherif’s gender-based eligibility sparked outrage and online outrage, leading the IOC to issue a statement confirming Kherif’s eligibility.
With Algerian fans cheering her on in Paris, Kherif won her match against Hungary’s Anna-Luka Hamori 5-0.
The controversy was highlighted recently when Italian boxer Angela Carini withdrew from a bout, with a group of Italian fans also in attendance to support Kheriff.
The controversy surrounding Khelif, who is biologically female but failed a gender eligibility test in 2023, quickly became toxic, sparking the erroneous belief that she was a transgender woman.
The failed test was conducted by the International Boxing Association, whose standards have been questioned by the IOC.
Kherif called it “a big conspiracy” at the time, and some have suggested that the IBA was controlled by Russia’s Umar Kremlyov at the time of her disqualification, which came just after Kherif’s win against a Russian boxer.
“I’ve never been punched like that,” Carini told reporters after the withdrawal. “It’s impossible to continue.”
Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting was also disqualified by the IBA but was allowed to compete by the IOC.
The Hungarian Boxing Federation has sent letters of protest against Saturday’s bout to both the IOC and the Hungarian Olympic Committee.
