"Do Not Bully": Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif Breaks Silence On Olympics Gender Row

Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has called for an end to the "bullying and negative rhetoric" after she guaranteed herself an Olympic medal in the women's 66kg category in the Paris Olympics, becoming the first woman from her country to achieve this milestone. Khelif's victory over Hungary's Anna Luca Hamori has not only secured Algeria's first boxing medal since 2000 but has also secured her place into the semi-finals, where she will face Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng on Tuesday.

The Algerian has found herself at the center of a gender eligibility debate. Alongside Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, Khelif has faced scrutiny and online abuse due to differing eligibility criteria set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Boxing Association (IBA).

Both athletes were disqualified from last year's World Championships by the IBA following unspecified eligibility tests but were cleared to compete in the Paris Olympics under IOC rules.

"I send a message to all the people of the world to uphold the Olympic principles and the Olympic Charter, to refrain from bullying all athletes, because this has effects, massive effects," she told SNTV in Arabic. "It can destroy people, it can kill people's thoughts, spirit, and mind. It can divide people. And because of that, I ask them to refrain from bullying."

"I am in contact with my family two days a week. I hope that they weren't affected deeply. They are worried about me. God willing, this crisis will culminate in a gold medal, and that would be the best response," she added.

Khelif expressed her hope that her journey would culminate in a gold medal. She also thanked the IOC and its president, Thomas Bach, for their support, stating, "I know that the Olympic