And on Saturday (3 August), Khelif won her second women’s 66kg match against Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori in the quarter-final via unanimous decision.
Now, in her first interview since the controversy, the Olympic boxer says she wants people to ‘refrain from bullying all athletes’ amid backlash online.
In an sit-down chat with SNTV on Sunday (4 August), she said in Arabic: “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.
“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.”
The athlete said she was grateful for the International Olympic Committee for letting her compete, which wasn’t the case with the International Boxing Association.
“I know that the Olympic Committee has done me justice, and I am happy with this remedy because it shows the truth,” she added.
“I don’t care about anyone’s opinion,” Khelif said.
“I came here for a medal, and to compete for a medal. I will certainly be competing to improve (and) be better, and God willing,
“I will improve, like every other athlete.”
Days after the controversy, Italian boxer Carini admitted that she wanted to apologise for her behaviour.
“All this controversy makes me sad,” she told the Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport.
“I’m sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision.
“It wasn’t something I intended to do.”
