ALGIERS, Algeria – Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif received a warm welcome home on Monday as Algerians rallied around her following international scrutiny and misunderstandings regarding her gender. The gold medalist in women’s welterweight boxing arrived in the capital city at noon, accompanied by other Olympic medalists, including gymnast Kaylia Nemour and runner Djamel Sedjati. They were greeted in Algiers by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Abderrahmane Hammad. According to the official Algerian press agency, APS, a meeting with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is scheduled for later this week.

“It is a dream I have had for eight years,” Khelif said regarding her gold medal. “We did our best to represent Algeria.”

Khelif became a major story at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games after Italian boxer Angela Carini withdrew just 46 seconds into their match, crying and refusing to shake Khelif’s hand, claiming she had never been hit so hard before. Subsequently, Khelif faced intense scrutiny as people, including world leaders and celebrities, questioned her eligibility and falsely alleged that she was a man. Algerians united in defending Khelif amid the unfounded speculation surrounding her gender, which they viewed as a product of racism. They made their voices heard both in Paris and Algeria, where gold medal matches were broadcast in public squares across the country.

Sedjati, who won bronze in the men’s 800 meters, remarked that the success of Nemour and Khelif would “boost women’s sports in our country.”