Algerian boxer at centre of gender eligibility row hits out at 'bullies'

An Algerian boxer in the centre of an Olympics gender eligibility row has accused those opposed to her presence at the Games of being bullies as the Russian head of the International Boxing Association, Umar Kremlev, launched a fresh barrage of criticism at a chaotic press conference.

- Daniel Boffey

Imane Khelif, who is assured of at least a bronze medal before her next bout today, said she hoped that a gold medal would come out of the pain she had endured over the past week.

"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," Khelif said. "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."

The IBA has claimed that Khelif, a welterweight, and Lin Yu-ting, a featherweight from Taiwan (competing as Chinese Taipei), who is also assured of a bronze in Paris, failed to meet gender eligibility rules last year.

The two athletes' presence became headline news after the Italian boxer Angela Carini abandoned her bout against Khelif after 46 seconds, claiming she had never been hit harder.