Imane Khelif and Kaylia Nemour return from Olympics to a warm welcome in Algeria

Gold medalist in the women’s 66kg boxing Algeria’s Imane Khelif, left, French-Algerian gymnast gold medalist in the uneven bars Kaylia Nemour, center, and bronze medalist in the men’s 800m Djamel Sedjati show their medals after the 2024 Summer Olympics Monday at Algiers airport, Algeria. (AP)
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Updated 13 August 2024
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Imane Khelif and Kaylia Nemour return from Olympics to a warm welcome in Algeria

  • Imane Khelif became a top storyline of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after Italian boxer Angela Carini withdrew 46 seconds into their match

ALGIERS, Algeria: Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif returned home to a warm welcome Monday as Algerians rallied around her in the face of international scrutiny and misconceptions about her sex.

The Algerian gold medalist in women’s welterweight boxing flew back to the gas-rich North African nation’s capital Monday afternoon along with other Olympic medalists, including gymnast Kaylia Nemour and runner Djamel Sedjati.

They were greeted in Algiers by Minister of Youth and Sports Abderrahmane Hammad and were scheduled to meet President Abdelmadjid Tebboune later this week, according to APS, the nation’s public press service.

“It’s a dream I had for eight years,” Khelif said of her gold medal performance. “We did our best to represent Algeria.”

Khelif became a top storyline of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games after Italian boxer Angela Carini withdrew 46 seconds into their matchup, wept and refused to shake Khelif’s hand, saying she had never been hit so hard by a punch. Afterward, scrutiny toward Khelif exploded as people — including world leaders and celebrities — questioned her eligibility or falsely claimed she was a man.

Algerians vigorously defended Khelif amid uninformed speculation about her sex, which they interpreted as a byproduct of racism. They loudly made their presence known both in Paris and Algeria, where the gold medal fight was broadcast in public squares throughout the country.

Sedjati, the bronze medalist in the men’s 800 meters, said Nemour and Khelif’s success would “give a boost to women’s sports in our country.”


LIV Golf Hong Kong dates announced as event leadership reaffirms commitment to the region

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LIV Golf Hong Kong dates announced as event leadership reaffirms commitment to the region

  • Fourth edition to take place Feb. 18-21, 2027, at Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling
  • Scott O’Neil: Hong Kong is a cornerstone of our international calendar and an important gateway for golf’s continued growth in Asia

HONG KONG: LIV Golf today announced the dates for HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong 2027, which will return for its fourth edition from Feb. 18-21, continuing its long-term commitment to the region and reinforcing Hong Kong’s position as one of Asia’s premier destinations for global sport and entertainment.

The announcement was made during a press conference at Hong Kong Golf Club in Fanling by Scott O’Neil, LIV Golf CEO; Andrea de Vincentiis, HSBC managing director and global head of brand partnerships; and Andy Kwok, Hong Kong Golf Club captain.

The 2027 dates align the tournament within Hong Kong’s vibrant calendar of major international events and reinforce a sustained multi-year partnership between LIV Golf, HSBC, the Hong Kong SAR Government and Hong Kong Golf Club.

HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong will continue to be an “M” Mark event in 2027, helping promote Hong Kong as a center for international sports events. The “M” Mark status, awarded by the Major Sports Events Committee, symbolizes signature events in the territory’s sports calendar.

Ticket holders for this week’s event, which takes place Thursday, March 5, through Sunday, March 8, will have exclusive early access to specially priced 2027 tickets beginning this Sunday at LIVGolf.com. Organizers thanked the Hong Kong Tourism Board for the continued event support, including planning and promotion.

O’Neil said: “Hong Kong is a cornerstone of our international calendar and an important gateway for golf’s continued growth in Asia. As the world’s golf league, LIV Golf is committed to investing in dynamic markets like Hong Kong, where sport, entertainment and culture are celebrated and recognized on a global scale.

“Announcing our 2027 event a year in advance is a testament to the local support and momentum building in Hong Kong. I want to thank our partners at HSBC, the HKSAR Government, and Hong Kong Golf Club, who all share in our vision to grow the game and continue delivering a world-class event that connects with fans of all ages and brings significant economic impact to the region.”

De Vincentiis said: “HSBC has supported golf globally for more than 20 years, and our partnership with LIV Golf represents a natural evolution of that legacy. It reflects both our international network and our long-standing commitment to Hong Kong.

“HSBC LIV Golf Hong Kong showcases the city to a global audience while contributing to the growth of the game across Asia. We are proud to continue our support to an event that aligns with our ambitions internationally and within this great community.”

Kwok said: “Established in 1889, Hong Kong Golf Club has a proud history of hosting world-class tournaments. We understand the responsibility that comes with staging global competition at this level.

“LIV Golf has brought new energy and new audiences to Fanling, while respecting the traditions of the game. We are proud to continue welcoming the league and its players to one of Asia’s most historic venues.”

Since its debut in Hong Kong in 2024, the tournament has produced memorable moments and showcased elite competition at one of Asia’s most respected championship venues.

Across its 14-event global schedule, LIV Golf events have generated more than $1 billion in economic impact for host cities worldwide, supporting tourism, hospitality and local communities while delivering international broadcast reach of over 900 million.

The 2026 edition takes place this week at Hong Kong Golf Club, featuring a 57-player international field competing across four days.