Imane Khelif, the Algerian Olympic boxing champion who became the centre of a gender controversy during the Paris Olympics, received a hero’s welcome upon her return to her hometown of Tiaret. Thousands of residents turned out late on Friday to celebrate her victory in the women’s 66kg final, where she defeated China’s Yang Liu in a unanimous decision. Khelif’s win was clouded by intense scrutiny due to her earlier disqualification from the world championships over gender eligibility issues, a controversy that followed her to the Olympics.
🇩🇿🥇 Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif returned to her home town of Tiaret and received an incredible champions reception from the locals pic.twitter.com/Ya3ElH7dLd
— Algeria FC (@Algeria_FC) August 16, 2024
Amid the celebrations, Khelif briefly addressed a complaint she had filed with the Paris public prosecutor’s office regarding online harassment. This complaint, according to Variety, names high-profile figures such as Elon Musk, JK Rowling, and former US President Donald Trump. However, Khelif chose not to delve into these legal matters, focusing instead on the joyous occasion, stating that it was “a day for celebration.”
Her coach, Mohamed Chaoua, noted that Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune has taken a personal interest in her case and has assured that Algeria will defend its rights. The president’s support, along with the massive turnout in Tiaret, underscored the widespread backing Khelif enjoys in her home country.
Residents of Tiaret, a city located 340 kilometers southwest of Algiers, celebrated her return with a grand procession. Khelif rode on an open-top bus, escorted by police, as the city’s people cheered her achievements, demonstrating the pride they felt for their local hero.