Imane Khelif opens up in shocking interview.
Olympic boxer Imane Khelif is making headlines again.
Controversial match sparks drama.
This time, she’s speaking out in her first interview since a dramatic 46-second match ended in controversy.
Khelif, who faced Italy’s Angela Carini in the Olympics round of 16, saw her opponent quit the fight just seconds in.
Carini, citing a sudden pain in her nose, abandoned the match, sparking a flurry of reactions online.
Eligibility controversy casts shadow.
On top of that, Khelif’s journey has been marred by a gender eligibility controversy that saw her disqualified from the Women’s World Boxing Championships last year.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) banned her, claiming she failed to meet unspecified criteria.
Despite this, Khelif was cleared to compete in the women’s boxing at the Paris Olympic Games, alongside Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting.
The IBA, on the other hand, has been permanently banned from the Olympics.
Challenging Olympic journey exposed.
The 25-year-old’s journey to the Olympics has been far from smooth.
She has had to overcome numerous obstacles and public skepticism.
Last year, Khelif was disqualified from the Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi.
This was due to the IBA’s controversial decision over her eligibility.
Perseverance through setbacks detailed.
Despite the setback, Khelif persevered, training harder and focusing on her goal of Olympic glory.
Her fight with Angela Carini was meant to be a showcase of her talent and resilience.
Instead, it turned into a spectacle when Carini quit just 46 seconds into the match.
Carini apologizes for early exit.
Carini later apologized, admitting her decision to abandon the match was due to pain in her nose.
“It wasn’t something I intended to do,” Carini told the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
She expressed sadness over the controversy and respect for the IOC’s decision to let Khelif compete.
This apology came as Khelif secured her second win in the women’s 66kg category against Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori.
Khelif faces public backlash.
Khelif, born and raised in Algeria, has faced immense scrutiny and public backlash.
But in her recent interview with SNTV, she makes a heartfelt plea for kindness.
“I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter,” Khelif said in Arabic.
She implores people to “refrain from bullying all athletes” due to the “massive effects” of their words.
“It can destroy people, it can kill people’s thoughts, spirit, and mind,” she warned.
Family’s worries revealed.
Khelif revealed she stays in touch with her family twice a week, who are deeply worried about her.
“They are worried about me. God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal,” she expressed.
This would be the ultimate response to her critics.
Khelif’s gratitude exposed.
Khelif expressed gratitude towards the International Olympic Committee for allowing her to compete.
She believes this decision has done her justice and revealed the truth.
“I don’t care about anyone’s opinion,” she stated boldly.
“My focus is on winning a medal. I will continue to improve like every other athlete.”
With the International Olympic Committee’s backing and a firm resolve to secure a gold medal, Khelif is poised to turn her challenges into triumph.