Imane Khelif, an Algerian boxer who underwent a gender eligibility test prior to the 2024 Paris Olympics, has secured at least a bronze medal after her victory on Saturday against a Hungarian opponent.
Khelif won against Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori in the 66-kilogram contest by unanimous decision. Since there are no matches for the bronze medal, Khelif will still claim the medal even if she loses in the semifinals to Thailand’s Janjaem Suwannapheng.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM
Imane Khelif of Team Algeria competes against Anna Luca Hamori of Team Hungary during the Women’s 66kg Quarter-final match at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on August 03, 2024, at North Paris Arena, Paris, France.
(Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Khelif has been facing a gender eligibility controversy after her disqualification from the 2023 Women’s World Championships, sanctioned by the International Boxing Association.
International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach defended the inclusion of Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-Ting in the women’s matches.
“The hate speech, aggressiveness, and abuse circulating on social media fueled by this agenda is entirely unacceptable,” Bach stated.
The Algerian Olympic Committee has lodged an official complaint with the IOC regarding the online harassment directed at Khelif, deeming it “a serious breach of sports ethics and the Olympic Charter by one participant in the boxing tournament.”
Algeria’s Imane Khelif prepares for the match against Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori during the women’s 66kg quarter-final boxing match at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games on August 3, 2024, in Villepinte, France.
(MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Getty Images)
ITALY’S ANGELA CARINI EXPRESSES REGRET OVER OLYMPIC BOXING MATCH AGAINST FIGHTER WHO FAILED GENDER TEST
The organization reported that another boxer, who remains unnamed, made disparaging remarks about Khelif and alerted that the IOC “has provided a final warning to remove any posts related to our heroine.”
“We reserve the right to take legal action against all those involved in the disturbing campaign against our heroine Imane Khelif,” stated the Algerian team.
Hamori pledged to be prepared for the fight despite the controversies surrounding Khelif and dissent from her own federation.
“I’m not afraid,” Hamori declared on Thursday. “The press narrative and social media do not concern me.”
Algeria’s Imane Khelif (L) competes against Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori in the women’s 66kg quarter-final boxing match during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at the North Paris Arena, Villepinte, on August 3, 2024.
(MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Getty Images)
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Khelif advanced to the quarterfinals after Italy’s Angela Carini withdrew from their match only 46 seconds into the round of 16.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
