The 2024 Olympic Games have been a bittersweet reality for women's boxing champion Imane Khelif.
Despite walking away from the Paris Olympics this weekend having harboured the reputation of an illustrious fighter who secured victory against countless opponents, the 25-year-old likely still carries a heartbreaking weight on her shoulders, after she became the focal point of a devastating gender row.
Khelif's sex was brought into question following her debut victory in this year's games, against Italy's Angela Carini.
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The duo fought for a total of 46 seconds before Carini burst into tears and threw in the towel, alleging that the contest was 'not fair'.
It was soon understood that the Italian was referencing Khelif's prior disqualification from the 2023 World Championships, after she failed gender eligibility tests.
At the time, International Boxing Association (IBA) president Umar Kremlev also claimed that the unspecified test reportedly showed Khelif to have the XY chromosome.
After claiming Khelif’s blows had 'hurt' too much - which resulted in the Italian, also 25, refusing to shake the Algerian's hand - Carini's comments sparked a controversial debate on gender rights.
This - in some areas - tragically disintegrated into transgender abuse being aimed at 66kg division star Khelif, who was born female.
Despite later coming out on top against follow-up competitors, Hungary's Anna Luca Hamori and Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng, the North African sportswoman was forced to speak out against the 'bullying' she'd been subjected to since the tournament in Paris kicked off.
Speaking in Arabic last week (5 Aug), she told SNTV: "I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects.
"It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying."
Khelif went on to admit she was concerned about the impact such commentary had on her family, who she has been in contact with 'two days a week'.
"I hope that they weren’t affected deeply," she said. "They are worried about me. God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal, and that would be the best response."
While Khelif is aware of the online discussion around her performance, she said she doesn’t 'care about anyone’s opinion'.
She continued: "I came here for a medal, and to compete for a medal. I will certainly be competing to improve (and) be better, and God willing, I will improve, like every other athlete."
Khelif added: "Honestly, I don’t follow social media.
"There is a mental health team that doesn’t let us follow social media, especially in the Olympic Games, whether me or other athletes. I’m here to compete and get a good result."
The boxer shared her gratitude to the IOC and president Thomas Bach for standing beside her throughout the ordeal.
"I know that the Olympic Committee has done me justice, and I am happy with this remedy because it shows the truth," she said.
Thankfully, however, the boxing star appeared to have used the controversial gender debate as fire to fuel her all the way to the finals, which saw her compete against China's Yang Liu last night in a bid for Gold.
And at the end of the evening, she was named by judges as the women's 66kg division victor, in a spectacular triumph.
Khelif beat the Chinese world champion by unanimous decision over five rounds to win welterweight gold.
Speaking to press after her victory, she once again emphasised: "I am fully qualified to take part in this competition. I am a woman like any other woman.
"I was born a woman. I have lived as a woman. I competed as a woman - there is no doubt about that."
Topics: Olympics, Imane Khelif, Sport, World News
Rhianna Benson