Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif received a hero’s welcome at Algiers airport on August 12, as she and other Algerian athletes returned from the Paris Games. Khelif, who clinched the women’s 66kg title, was joined by teenage gymnastics gold medallist Kaylia Nemour and men’s 800m bronze medallist Djamel Sedjati, all proudly displaying their medals to an enthusiastic crowd.
The 25-year-old boxer, who was at the center of a gender controversy during the Olympics, expressed her gratitude to her supporters. “I wanted to show the strength of performance and the presence of women, especially Algerian women,” Khelif stated in an AFP report. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) allowed Khelif to compete in Paris despite previous disqualification by the International Boxing Association (IBA) due to gender test results.
Khelif also took the opportunity to thank the Algerian people for their support, emphasizing the role of Algerian women as global examples. “Thanks to God, we have restored Algeria’s honor and flown the Algerian flag in Paris,” she said.
In a related story, Italian sprinter Valentina Petrillo is set to become the first openly transgender athlete to compete in the Paralympic Games, following her selection for the women’s 200 and 400 meters events in Paris later this month. The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has welcomed her participation under World Para Athletics guidelines, highlighting ongoing debates around transgender policies in sports.