"She deserves, everything she's been through" - Fans react as Algerian boxer Imane Khelif clinches gold medal at the Paris Olympics

After weeks of controversy, which led to her receiving large amounts of hate on social media, Imane Khelif capped off her 2024 Paris Olympic journey with a gold medal. The Algerian welterweight defeated Yang Liu on Aug. 9 to win just her country's second gold medal at the Olympics.

Despite being heavily criticized throughout the competition, Khelif went undefeated through her four fights in the Olympics. The 25-year-old's eligibility was repeatedly questioned on social media, with fans creating rumors of her being a biological male, a claim that the International Olympic Committee firmly denied.

Due to the hostile environment Khelif was forced to compete in, most fans were receptive to the boxer winning gold. One fan said Khelif "deserves everything" she has earned under the current circumstances.

The comment read:

"She deserves, everything she's been through"

View more fan reactions to Imane Khelif winning the gold medal below:

Fans react to Imane Khelif winning a gold medal. [via: @olympics on X]

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Imane Khelif's 2024 Olympics

In the long history of boxing in the Olympics, Imane Khelif has had one of the most unique experiences in Paris.

After rumors of her being a biological male surfaced before the games commenced, Khelif and the IOC were publicly shamed by fans. Regardless, the Algerian went 5-0 in the competition to win the gold medal in the 66-kilogram division.

Her first win over Angela Carini was the most controversial, with Carini asking out of the fight in just 45 seconds, believing the punishment she felt from Khelif was unjust. Carini has since apologized for her actions and regrets her handling of the result.

After the opening win, Khelif won successive dominant victories over Hungary's Anna Luca Hamori to qualify for the semifinals. Her next win over Suwannapheng Janjaem of Thailand put her in the gold medal match against Yang Liu.