Imane Khelif: Triumph and Controversy Upon Heroic Return

Large gatherings celebrated the return of Imane Khelif, a polarizing figure and Olympic boxing victor, to her home region of Tiaret, located southwest of Algiers. Late Friday, thousands gathered to welcome the gold medal winner of Algeria, who became embroiled in a gender dispute during her Olympic journey to win the women’s 66kg division.

When questioned regarding a grievance Khelif, aged 25, lodged with the public prosecutor’s office in Paris due to online harassment, the boxer chose not to comment in detail. “This is a day for celebration,” she stated. “I will address that question at the appropriate time.”

Notably, Variety, a US-based magazine, reported that high-profile figures such as Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur, and JK Rowling, the celebrated writer of Harry Potter, were mentioned in the complaint. The investigation is also said to involve former US president Donald Trump, who is running as the Republican nominee in the 2024 presidential race, according to a statement from Khelif’s lawyer as cited by Variety.

Mohamed Chaoua, Khelif’s coach, revealed on Friday that the situation had attracted the interest of Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune himself. “He has said we will not give up on our rights,” remarked Chaoua, stressing that the current moment’s focus should be on celebration and that legal matters would be pursued at a more suitable time.

Khelif clinched victory in the women’s 66kg category against China’s Yang Liu through a unanimous decision on points amid a backdrop of significant scrutiny in Paris at the Olympics.

She and Lin Yu-ting from Taiwan, who secured the 57kg women’s title, were previously disqualified from last year’s world championships due to failing gender eligibility tests. Nonetheless, they were permitted to compete in Paris, leading to a significant Olympic controversy.

The people of Tiaret, a city with a population close to 200,000 located 340 kilometers (210 miles) southwest of Algiers, extended an exuberant reception to Khelif, who was paraded on an open-top bus with family, escorted by police.

“I was given a warm welcome today. Every Algerian has the right to rejoice and enjoy themselves,” she expressed. She said, “Even the president is a fan of Imane Khelif, which proves that the state and the people are backers of sport.”