Imane Khelif said the “future is bright” after receiving a hero’s welcome in Algeria following her gold medal at the Paris Olympics.
The 25-year-old was allowed to participate by the International Olympic Committee despite allegations by the International Boxing Federation that she failed the gender suitability tests at the World Boxing Championships last year.
Khelif faced huge attention when she won the gold medal and was given a hero’s welcome by hordes of adoring fans on Saturday.
She showed off her gold medal in a bus parade through her hometown of Tiaret, while Khelif basked in the admiration of her supporters.
Imane Khelif said the “future is bright” after being welcomed like a hero in Algeria following her gold medal at the Paris Olympics
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Khelif took to Instagram to thank everyone who came to see her.
And she also insists that the future is “bright”. The boxer said: “The greatest pride and honour is to represent your country and fly your flag high.”
“It is an even greater joy to share this pride with your family, loved ones and community.
“The warm welcome I received on the streets of Tiaret and Biban Misbah and the overwhelming feelings of love and support will remain in my heart forever.
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A second said: “Best revenge ever. Congratulations and I hope you take down all those who tried to ruin your success with lies. You will learn (the hard way).”
A third commented: “I’m literally crying right now, she deserves only the best.”
Another said: “I have never been so happy for another person. Way to go girl.”
And a fifth said: “Love and support from England! You are an inspiration to women and girls everywhere.”
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What the future holds for Khelif after her gold medal is currently unclear.
But boxing promoter Eddie Hearn said earlier this week he was ready to give the 25-year-old a professional contract.
“Yes, if the facts were presented and it was the case that there was no reason why that person should not run as a woman,” he told IFL TV when asked if that was possible.
“Yes, I would, commercially. First of all, she’s a talented fighter. Secondly, commercially, I think she has up to two million followers on Instagram, up from 30,000, so the answer is yes.
Imane Khelif was welcomed as a hero by the Algerian people after winning gold at the Olympic Games in Paris
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“But there are probably facts about the situation that we don’t know are true.
“But if a fighter was classified as female with no physical advantages, but again we hear about X/Y chromosomes and I didn’t see anything, all I heard was someone say, ‘We did this test.’
“Are we going to see it? Or are we just supposed to believe this story?
“I would never say, ‘I’m not participating in this conversation. It’s a current conversation.'”