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STORY: :: Algerian fans celebrate as boxer Imane Khelif defeats Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng

:: August 6, 2024

:: Paris, France

:: Khelif has vowed to put attacks on her gender aside as she advances to the finals

"We will defend you until the end for this harassment that you have experienced, which is a shame! Pride, Imane, pride!"

"We are proud of her, it's a good response for people who doubted her, it's a good response. Algeria should not be provoked, that's it."

"Great, admirable. Honestly, she had a lot of courage. After the difficult week she had, she was able to ignore all that and move on. She had real willpower. There you go, I'm confident about the final. I was a little afraid, but now that I'm confident she's going to do it."

Algerian fans flocked into a repurposed Court Philippe Chatrier, devoid of its iconic red clay, looking to support Khelif and screamed "Imane, Imane, Imane" ahead of the bout, while also booing Suwannapheng on entry.

After the match, fans celebrated the win and said they hoped Khelif would go on to win gold.

Khelif, a silver medallist at the 2022 worlds, and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting have been in the spotlight at the Olympics as part of a storm that has dominated headlines and been the subject of much discussion on social media platforms.

Khelif and Lin were disqualified by the International Boxing Association from the 2023 World Championships in New Delhi, with the body saying in a shambolic press conference on Monday (August 5) that a sex chromosome test had ruled both of them ineligible.

At those World Championships, Khelif beat Suwannapheng by unanimous decision in the semi-finals before being disqualified. Suwannapheng competed in the final after Khelif's disqualification and won silver.

Khelif and Lin are competing in the Olympics after the International Olympic Committee stripped the IBA of its status as the sport's governing body in 2023 and took control of organising the boxing in Paris.