Imane Khelif Tunes Out the Distractions to Win Gold

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Imane Khelif Tunes Out the Distractions to Win Gold

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Imane Khelif’s first ****** at the Paris Olympics was won in 46 seconds. Her fourth, and last, delivered a gold medal. In time, the joy and pride and relief that victory brought may allow her to forget everything that happened in between, including questions about her eligibility.

In a boxing sense, Khelif’s week could hardly have gone better. She fought four times and won each of them comfortably. The gold medal bout, against Yang Liu of China, was perhaps her best, and she knew it. Safely ahead and sensing gold, Khelif did little but keep her distance from Yang for the final minute.

She had entered the ring to chants of “Imane! Imane!” from the pro-Algerian crowd. Once the bout began, even the smallest hint of aggression from Khelif was met with cheers. A flurry of blows brought a sustained roar. The final bell brought delirium.

By then, the decision, a 5-0 victory, was a foregone conclusion, and one everyone seemed fine with. Khelif pumped her right fist as the referee held her left hand aloft. She congratulated Yang, accepted some kind words from the ******** coaches and then danced a jig in the center of the ring.

Her medal was the second for Algeria at the Paris Games, matching the gold won by the gymnast Kaylia Nemour on the uneven bars. But it was also Khelif’s alone. All the rest — the insults from strangers and politicians, the distractions in the best week of her life — will fade. Her smile? That has returned. And in the glow of her gold medal, it looked as if it was here to stay.

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