Controversial Algerian boxer Imane Khelif wins women’s gold at Olympics

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif won the gold at the Olympics after a wellspring of controversy.

Khelif was raised onto the shoulders of her coach after winning the gold medal in the women's boxing 145-pound category, beating China’s Yang Liu. She won every single round.

“I’m very happy. For eight years, this has been my dream, and I’m now the Olympic champion and gold medallist," Khelif said after her victory. “I’ve worked for eight years, no sleep, eight years tired. Now I’m Olympic champion.”

Khelif became the center of controversy after swiftly defeating Italian boxer Angela Carini in 46 seconds. She has a reported diagnosis of differences in sexual development , or DSD, which is an umbrella term for a variety of conditions in which a person can have either XY or XX chromosomes but not the corresponding physical sex characteristics.

Many flocked to Carini's defense after she complained that Khelif's inclusion was unfair. Carini later backtracked and apologized .

Khelif was disqualified from the female International Boxing Association championship in 2023 following genetic testing confirming that she each had XY chromosomes but was allowed to fight in the women's category under the International Olympic Committee’s guidelines of testing testosterone levels.

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"The Algerian boxer was born female, was registered female, lived her life as a female, has a female passport," the International Olympic Committee said in a press conference last week.

IOC President Thomas Bach condemned the reaction that followed Carini's remarks, saying the "hate speech" directed at Khelif was "totally unacceptable."