PARIS: Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has won a gold medal Friday at the Paris Olympics, emerging as a champion from a tumultuous run at the Games where she endured intense scrutiny in the ring and online abuse from around the world over misconceptions about her womanhood.
Khelif beat Yang Liu of China 5:0 in the final of the women’s welterweight division, wrapping up the best series of fights of her boxing career with a victory at Roland Garros.
Cheering crowds embraced Khelif in Paris – draping themselves in Algerian flags and chanting her name – even as she faced an extraordinary amount of scrutiny from world leaders, major celebrities and others who have questioned her eligibility or falsely claimed she was a man. It has thrust her into a larger divide over changing attitudes toward gender identity and regulations in sports.
Khelif told SNTV, a sports video partner of The Associated Press, last weekend that the wave of hateful scrutiny she has received “harms human dignity,” and she called for an end to bullying athletes. She also said a gold medal would be “the best response” to the backlash against her.
It stems from the Russian-dominated International Boxing Association’s decision to disqualify Khelif and fellow two-time Olympian Li Yu-ting of Taiwan from last year’s world championships, claiming both failed a murky eligibility test for women’s competition.
The International Olympic Committee took the unprecedented step last year of permanently banning the IBA from the Olympics following years of concerns about its governance, competitive fairness and financial transparency. The IOC has called the arbitrary sex tests that the sport’s governing body imposed on the two boxers irretrievably flawed.
The IOC has repeatedly reaffirmed the two boxers’ right to compete in Paris, with President Thomas Bach personally defending Khelif and Lin while calling the criticism “hate speech.”
“We have two boxers who are born as women, who have been raised as women, who have a passport as a woman and have competed for many years as women,” Bach said.
That hasn’t stopped the international outcry tied to misconceptions around the fighters that has been amplified by Russian disinformation networks. It also hasn’t slowed two boxers who have performed at the highest levels of their careers while under the spotlight’s glare.
Khelif’s gold medal is Algeria’s first in women’s boxing. She is only the nation’s second boxing gold medalist, joining Hocine Soltani (1996).
Hundreds of flag-clad, noise-making supporters of Khelif crowded the paths through the famed Roland Garros tennis complex in Paris and packed the stands, chanting, cheering and waving Algerian flags. Khelif also has become a hero across her North African country where many fans have seen the world’s dissection of Khelif as criticism of their nation.
Khelif’s fight was dubbed “The Night of Destiny” in local newspapers. Projection screens to watch the bout were set up in public squares throughout Algiers and other cities. In the city of Tiaret in the region where Khelif is from, workers braved scorching summer heat to paint a mural of Khelif on the gym where she learned to box.
“Imane has managed to turn the criticism and attacks on her femininity into fuel,” said Mustapha Bensaou of the Tiaret gym. “The slander has given her a boost. ... It’s a bit of a blessing in disguise.”
The gold medal fight is the culmination of Khelif’s nine-day run through an Olympic tournament that began with a bizarre event. Khelif’s first opponent, Angela Carini of Italy, abandoned their bout after just 46 seconds, saying she was in too much pain from Khelif’s punches.
An already brewing story suddenly became major international news, with the likes of former US President Donald Trump and “Harry Potter” author J.K. Rowling weighing in with criticism and false speculation about men competing with women in sports. Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni personally visited with Carini to share her condolences and to cast doubt on Khelif’s eligibility.
Carini later said she regretted her actions and wished to apologize to Khelif. The Italian newspaper La Stampa detailed Carini’s mindset in the days leading up to the bout, describing pressure from both inside and outside her team to avoid the fight amid the growing speculation over Khelif’s status.
Khelif has never done as well in another international tournament as she did in these Olympics. When she was cast as some sort of unstoppable punching machine last week by pundits and provocateurs who had never seen her fight before, opponents and teammates who know her were shocked by the characterization.
Then she lived up to the notion of being one of the best Olympic boxers in the world.
The banished governing body for boxing did nothing to help its argument about her disqualification at the world championships last year during a shambolic news conference in which its leadership contradicted itself about the tests and declined to answer basic questions about them, citing privacy concerns from the Olympic committees of Algeria and Taiwan.
Lin also fights for a gold medal Saturday on the final card of the Olympics. She takes on Julia Szeremeta of Poland with a chance to win Taiwan’s first boxing gold.
Boxer Imane Khelif wins gold to cap an Olympics marked by scrutiny over her sex
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Boxer Imane Khelif wins gold to cap an Olympics marked by scrutiny over her sex
Vintage Messi nets hat trick as Argentina hit Bolivia for six
- The 37-year-old provided an emphatic reminder of his enduring quality with three clinical finishes
- Brazil continued to ease any concerns about their qualification chances with a comfortable 4-0 win over Peru in Brasilia
MONTEVIDEO: Lionel Messi struck a vintage hat trick as world champions Argentina romped to a 6-0 win over Bolivia in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying on Tuesday.
The 37-year-old provided an emphatic reminder of his enduring quality with three clinical finishes, two assists and some of his trademark creativity throughout the game as Lionel Scaloni’s side dominated.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner opened the scoring in the 19th minute when Bolivian defender Marcelo Suarez was robbed by Lautaro Martinez, who sent Messi clear and he cleverly slotted into the bottom corner.
The home crowd at Buenos Aires’ Monumental Stadium were on their feet again in the 43rd minute when Julian Alvarez threaded a brilliant pass through to Messi, who unselfishly squared the ball to Martinez to finish.
Three minutes later, Alvarez was on target himself when Bolivia were caught sleeping at a free-kick, Messi chipping the ball over the top and the Atletico Madrid forward slotted home.
After the break, Nicolas Otamendi had a header ruled out for offside but the home fans didn’t have long to wait for the fourth when Thiago Almada side-footed home after a superb pull-back from Nahuel Molina
A classic Messi goal made it 5-0 in the 84th — the Inter Miami forward dribbling centrally before switching from his left foot to his right and burying the ball into the bottom corner.
Two minutes later and some fans were in tears after Messi cut in from the right, played a smart wall pass off substitute Nico Paz and again put the ball beyond the reach of goalkeeper Guillermo Viscarra.
Argentina are top of the 10-team table with 22 points from 10 games — three points clear of second-place Colombia, who crushed Chile 4-0 in Barranquilla.
There was a different look to the team, wearing a special retro white kit, marking the Colombian Football Federation’s centenary, featuring the national flag’s colors in a hoop.
It was a dashing design and the performance of Nestor Lorenzo’s team was equally stylish taking apart a woeful Chile side that remain rooted last in the ten-team qualifying group.
Defender Davinson Sanchez opened the scoring in the 34th minute, nodding home after Jhon Lucumi had headed a James Rodriguez corner goalwards.
Jhon Cordoba slotted home a Diaz cross in the 45th minute but the effort was ruled out for offside against Diaz.
Chile gifted the Colombians a second, seven minutes after the interval, when Benjamin Kusevic gave the ball away to Rodriguez, who squared to Liverpool winger Luis Diaz to convert.
Substitute Jhon Duran made it 3-0 in the 82nd minute after another giveaway, this time in midfield, allowed Sinisterra to break and then feed the Aston Villa forward, who made no mistake and Sinisterra then wrapped up the win in stoppage time.
Brazil continued to ease any concerns about their qualification chances with a comfortable 4-0 win over Peru in Brasilia.
A pair of penalties converted by Barcelona winger Raphinha put the record five-time World Cup winners on their way — the first coming in the 38th minute when Carlos Zambrano handled in the box and the second in the 54th minute after the same defender brought down Savinho.
But there was more to appreciate in the third goal, in the 71st minute, with Andreas Pereira producing a superb scissor-kick volley from a Luiz Henrique cross from the right.
Luiz Henrique completed the rout in spectacular style with a brilliant left-foot drive from outside the box to make it 4-0 and leave Brazil in fourth.
Paraguay boosted their chances of grabbing one of the six automatic qualification spots after substitute Antonio Sanabria scored twice in a 2-1 win over Venezuela.
Full-back Jon Aramburu put Venezuela ahead in the 25th minute, bursting down the right and collecting a pass from Yeferson Soteldo that he buried in the bottom corner.
Torino striker Sanabria was introduced at the interval and he brought sixth-placed Paraguay level when he slid in to meet a low cross from Junior Alonso.
Sanabria then grabbed the winner in the 74th minute, leading a counter-attack before getting into the box to finish off the move with a header from close range.
Uruguay and Ecuador played out a goalless draw.
West Indies knock England out of Women’s T20 World Cup as Joseph leads spectacular chase
- The 2016 champions finished with 142-4 in 18 overs in reply to England’s 141-7, winning with 12 deliveries to spare and making the cut from Group B
- It is the first time since 2010 that England have failed to make the semifinals
DUBAI: Qiana Joseph hit 52 runs off 38 balls as she led a spectacular West Indies chase to knock England out of the Women’s T20 World Cup on Tuesday.
Joseph’s half century, propped up by skipper Hayley Matthews’ 50 off 38 balls, helped West Indies win by six wickets in the final league game of the tournament.
The 2016 champions finished with 142-4 in 18 overs in reply to England’s 141-7, winning with 12 deliveries to spare and making the cut from Group B.
The win was sufficient for West Indies to join South Africa in the knockouts. The Proteas’ qualification was confirmed after the first innings ended, leaving England to defend the total for a place in the semifinals.
It is the first time since 2010 that England have failed to make the semifinals. Australia and New Zealand already progressed from Group A, and will take on South Africa and West Indies in the semifinals, respectively.
Earlier, West Indies won the toss and opted to bowl in a must-win game for both sides. Coming into the fixture, England had history and form on their side — they hadn’t lost to their opponent in 14 matches, and had won three successive games in Group B.
It didn’t make the best of starts though as in-form Danielle Wyatt-Hodge was out caught for 16, while Maia Bouchier was out for 14. Alice Capsey was also run out for one leaving England at 34-3 in 6.1 overs.
Nat Sciver-Brunt led the recovery with 57 not out off 50 balls, and put on 46 off 36 balls with skipper Heather Knight.
Knight sustained a calf injury during the innings and retired hurt for 21 off 13 balls. It took away momentum from England, with West Indies making a comeback through leg break bowler Afy Fletcher.
She picked 3-21 in four overs, and squeezed runs in the middle part of the English innings, as Sciver-Brunt looked for more support.
England went from 94-3 to 135-7 in the space of 30 deliveries, but still managed to put a fighting total on the board by scoring 31 runs in the final three overs.
West Indies came out swinging as Joseph opened the innings after a gap of two games and targeted the leg side with some big hits.
She hit six fours and two sixes to blow the English attack away. At the other end, Matthews attacked too, hitting seven fours and a six, as the duo scored a tournament-high 67-0 in the power play.
In all, they put on 102 runs off 74 balls for the first wicket. Sciver-Brunt got the breakthrough in the 13th over, while Sarah Glenn dismissed Matthews five balls later. Shemaine Campbell (5) was also run out to give England hope.
But Deandra Dottin continued the momentum with two fours and two sixes — scoring 27 off 19 balls — to help West Indies across the finish line with plenty to spare.
NFL names Atlanta to host Super Bowl 62 in 2028
- Atlanta first hosted the Super Bowl in 1994, when Dallas beat Buffalo 30-13 at the Georgia Dome, which also hosted the then-St. Louis Rams beating Tennessee 23-16 in 2000
- Arthur Blank: This is a tremendous honor for the city of Atlanta
NEW YORK: Atlanta has been named the host city for Super Bowl 62 in 2028, the NFL announced on Tuesday, marking the fourth time the 1996 Olympic host will stage the championship spectacle.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the 71,000-seat home of the NFL Atlanta Falcons which opened in 2017, will be the site of the contest, which has not had an exact date fixed.
“Renowned for its hospitality and rich sports and entertainment culture, Atlanta is a world-class event destination and a natural fit for Super Bowl 62,” NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
Atlanta first hosted the Super Bowl in 1994, when Dallas beat Buffalo 30-13 at the Georgia Dome, which also hosted the then-St. Louis Rams beating Tennessee 23-16 in 2000.
Mercedes-Benz Stadium first hosted the Super Bowl in 2019, when the New England Patriots beat the Los Angeles Rams 13-3.
“This is a tremendous honor for the city of Atlanta,” Falcons owner Arthur M. Blank said in a statement. “Thank you to my fellow owners for their trust in awarding Atlanta this opportunity.”
Next February’s Super Bowl will be played at the Superdome in New Orleans with California venues hosting in 2026 and 2027 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara and SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles respectively.
Lenovo will be FIFA’s technology partner for 2026 World Cup and 2027 Women’s World Cup
- Infantino: At FIFA, we are committed to growing the game globally and making football accessible for all — and we are excited to welcome Lenovo to our journey
- Lenovo will supply ThinkPad laptops and tablets as well as Motorola mobile phones for the tournaments to the competing teams, FIFA’s staff and the various host nation organizing committees
Lenovo has signed on to be the official technology partner for FIFA, which includes the 2026 World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico as well as the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The announcement was made during Lenovo’s Tech World innovation event in Seattle on Tuesday.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement the deal will continue to upgrade fan experiences as well as continue to make data more accessible to fans and teams.
“At FIFA, we are committed to growing the game globally and making football accessible for all — and we are excited to welcome Lenovo to our journey, and to work with them to implement technologies, innovations and programs that spread our sport. Data and technology combined helps us to know fans better,” he said.
The 2026 World Cup will take place from June 11 through July 19 in 16 cities throughout North America. It will also see the tournament expand from 32 to 48 teams.
The 2027 Women’s World Cup will feature 32 teams, but the dates and host cities in Brazil have not been finalized.
Jeff Shafer, Lenovo’s head of corporate marketing, said there have been been multiple meetings with FIFA about the role of artificial intelligence in helping teams and fans better understand all the data produced during a match, but that any ideas or upgrades are still in the planning stages.
“Technology and football will absolutely enhance the experience for viewers at a specific level. That’s stuff that we’re working on right now. But we already, I think, have some really amazing and interesting ideas brewing,” Shafer said.
Lenovo will supply ThinkPad laptops and tablets as well as Motorola mobile phones for the tournaments to the competing teams, FIFA’s staff and the various host nation organizing committees.
FIFA had a significant amount of data during the recent World Cup tournaments, including detailed match reports breaking down all facets of play. Data used to be limited to possession percentages and shots, but with players wearing devices tracking movement as well as chips in soccer balls, data is available to analyze a team’s offensive formation shape or to help referee’s on offsides calls.
The available data can also be used during the game for graphics used on television or to relay statistics inside the stadium. FIFA has a six member technical study group which helps analyze data during tournaments as well as give insights and observations.
Shafer noted most of the upgrades to the fan experience will mostly begin with helping teams and players in analyzing data.
“Technology can level the playing field. The data is already there, but you’ve got some disparity between the haves and have nots within global football,” he said. “If we can provide technology that gives one or two people the ability to analyze date with some sort of competitive equality to those countries that have 10 or 15 people able to do that, it really brings a lot to the table.”
Lenovo’s addition as a FIFA partner also joins recent sponsorship announcements from Bank of America, Lays and Verizon.
“Lenovo is proud to support FIFA’s vision of leveraging technology to elevate the game, enhance the fan experience worldwide, and foster innovation that levels the playing field. We’re excited that our cutting-edge technology and AI innovation will take center stage in the upcoming tournaments, demonstrating to the world the transformative power of smarter technology,” Lenovo chairman and CEO Yuanqing Yang said in a statement.
Winners of women’s and men’s taekwondo events crowned at Saudi Games
- Ethar Hayyan and Dunya Abu Talib took gold in the women’s 49 kg and 57 kg categories, respectively
- In the men’s competitions, Riyadh Hamdi claimed gold in the 58 kg category and Mohammed Al-Suwaig in the 80 kg
RIYADH: The winners of the 57 kg and 49 kg categories of the women’s taekwondo competition at the 2024 Saudi Games, and the 80 kg and 58 kg categories of the men’s, were decided on Tuesday at Boulevard 2 in Riyadh.
Ethar Hayyan from AlUla won gold in the 49 kg women’s category, beating silver-medalist Rahma Al-Khawaher of Al-Qadisiyah in the final. Losing semi-finalists Sahaf Al-Shammari from AlUla and Fatima Awad from Al-Raed each received a bronze medal.
In the 57 kg women’s category, Dunya Abu Talib of Al-Qadisiyah took gold, Lujain Attiyah of Al-Shabab received silver, and Layan Al-Muhammadi of Herra and Wijdan Al-Atwi of Al-Ittihad claimed bronze.
In the men’s 58 kg category, Riyadh Hamdi of Al-Qadisiyah was the gold-medal winner, with Abdulilah Asiri of Abha taking silver, and Fahd Al-Sumaih of Al-Shabab and Muadh Mohammed of Al-Faisaly receiving bronze.
Mohammed Al-Suwaig from Al-Shabab triumphed in the 80 kg men’s category, ahead of Mohammed Othman, also of Al-Shabab, and Majed Mabrouk from Al-Hilal, who grabbed silver and bronze respectively.
The women’s prizes were presented by the CEO of the Saudi Games, Princess Dilayl Bint Nahar. The men received their medals from Ahmad Al-Muqayrin, a board member of the Saudi Olympic and Paralympic Committee, and Brig. Gen. Shadad Al-Omari, president of the Saudi Taekwondo Federation.
