The 25-year-old Algerian celebrated this monumental achievement at the historic Roland Garros, where she was surrounded by passionate supporters, including many from the Algerian community. The atmosphere was electric, filled with cheers and encouragement.
Now, Khelif has announced a major transition in her boxing career, setting her sights on new goals.
Reflecting on the controversy surrounding her participation in the 2024 Olympics, she said, as reported by The Guardian: “As for whether I qualify or not, whether I am a woman or not, I have made many statements in the media. I am fully qualified to take part in this competition.”
Khelif and fellow boxer Lin Yu-ting, who competed in the 57kg final, both faced intense debates about their gender eligibility.
Shortly before the Olympics, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had stripped the IBA of its status as the official governing body for boxing, citing ongoing concerns with corruption, governance issues, and financial transparency.
Nevertheless, Khelif’s victory was widely celebrated.
A crowd of 15,000 at Roland Garros chanted “Imane! Imane!” following her match, offering her overwhelming support and admiration.
In her statement, Khelif also shared her disappointment with the IBA, the organization she had been competing under since 2018. She said: “They hate me and I don’t know why. I send them a single message: with this gold medal, my dignity, my honor is above everything else.”
Her final match was a close, skillful encounter between two well-matched opponents, both in terms of height and reach. Gaining confidence after winning the first round unanimously, Khelif held her ground and showed immense focus.
The celebrations continued as Khelif, alongside her fellow medalists, returned to the ring for the medal ceremony.
The Algerian national anthem filled the air as supporters proudly waved flags and cheered her on.
Having achieved Olympic glory in Paris, Khelif is now preparing to enter the professional boxing arena, setting a new path in her career.
Despite these challenges and the public debates surrounding her career, Khelif stayed focused and resilient. She ultimately clinched the gold and has now revealed her intention to step into professional boxing.
During a press conference held on October 20, Khelif also announced an exciting new development: a documentary about her life and career is in the works.
“I have many offers. Currently, I have not decided where I will enter professional boxing. But very soon, I will take this step. We, as Algerians, would like to see our level in the field of professionalism.”
