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Olympic Boxing Champion Imane Khelif Takes Off The Gloves Over ‘Enemies Of Success’
Imane Khelif was as entertaining with her words on Friday night as she was with her punches.“De facto, je suis une femme’’, a-t-elle déclaré en arabe dans la salle bonde de journalistes avant d’ajouter « Je suis née comme telle et j’ai toujours été une fille.
The 25-year-old Algerian boxer came to blows with China’s Yang Liu and was unanimously deemed the winner on points as he secured a gold medal at Roland-Garros Stadium late Friday night. In a subsequent press conferince following the medal ceremony she was asked about what it means to be competing after her gender had been questioned.
Khelif has met all benchmarks when tested, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which said no doubt she is a woman. Still, that did not help with online ridicule and false conspiracy theories regarding her gender.
Khelif blamed her critics: “They are enemies, enemies of success.”.
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‘That also gives my success a special taste.’ Khelif deadpanned of those enemies. ’
Even as hate piled up on social media, thousands of Algerians came out to help pack the arenas during Khelif’s bouts. They cheered, some chanting her name yet again during the final in Roland-Garros Stadium.
“I give credit to the audience and supporters who were behind me,’’ said Khelif, winner of four fights in Rio. ‘That support is my power. ’