Algerian boxer Imane Khelif will have a shot at gold on Friday after winning her semi-final against Janjaem Suwannapheng on Tuesday night.
Khelif has been caught up in an eligibility row at these Games, after being disqualified from last year’s World Championships amid reports of having failed a gender eligibility test.
The 25-year-old, who enjoyed vocal Algerian support at the event at Roland Garros, is one of two fighters caught up in the row. She now faces China’s Liu Yang in the gold-medal match.
Regarding the furore, Khelif said: “I don’t care about that. I wish to be ready and show a good standard, show my talent, because I want to entertain everyone.
“I am very happy. I’ve worked eight years for these Olympics and I’m very proud of this moment. I would like to thank the support from the people back home. I am focused. I am here for a good performance and my dream. I will give everything I have for the final.”
Khelif beat Suwannapheng at the World Championships last year only to then be disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA).
The IBA had said Khelif had “failed to meet the eligibility criteria”, but she was allowed to compete in Paris by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The IBA has been stripped of the right to run boxing at the Olympic Games over its failure to complete reforms on governance, finance and ethical issues and its tests have been described by the IOC as lacking credibility.
