Boxer Imane Khelif wins gold to cap an Olympics marked by scrutiny over her sex

Boxer Imane Khelif wins gold to cap an Olympics marked by scrutiny over her sex
Imane Khelif of Algeria celebrates winning against Liu Yang of China. (Reuters)
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Updated 10 August 2024
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Boxer Imane Khelif wins gold to cap an Olympics marked by scrutiny over her sex

Boxer Imane Khelif wins gold to cap an Olympics marked by scrutiny over her sex

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.


Liverpool ‘colossus’ Ron Yeats dies aged 86

Liverpool ‘colossus’ Ron Yeats dies aged 86
Updated 07 September 2024
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Liverpool ‘colossus’ Ron Yeats dies aged 86

Liverpool ‘colossus’ Ron Yeats dies aged 86
  • The ex-Scotland defender was part of the Liverpool side that won the Second Division title under Bill Shankly in 1962
  • He had been living with Alzheimer’s disease in recent years

LONDON: Former Liverpool captain Ron Yeats, who led the club to their first FA Cup and two top-flight titles, has died aged 86, the Premier League side announced on Saturday.
The ex-Scotland defender was part of the Liverpool side that won the Second Division title under Bill Shankly in 1962 and went on to win the old First Division twice, the FA Cup in 1965 and the Charity Shield three times.
He had been living with Alzheimer’s disease in recent years.
“Liverpool FC is mourning the passing of legendary former captain Ron Yeats,” read a club statement. “In the words of Bill Shankly, a ‘colossus’ in club history.


“The thoughts of everyone at LFC are with Ron’s wife, Ann, all of his family and his friends at this incredibly sad time.
“Flags across club sites will be lowered to half-mast today as a mark of respect.”
Yeats was signed from Dundee United in July 1961 by Shankly, who invited journalists to “take a walk around him, he’s a colossus” at the 6ft 2in (1.87 meter) defender’s unveiling.
Yates took over as captain within six months and went on to make 454 appearances over more than a decade at Anfield.
His record 417-match run as Reds skipper was only broken by Steven Gerrard in the last decade.
He left to become Tranmere’s player-manager for three years, followed by a brief spell in the United States before returning to Anfield in 1986 as chief scout for two decades.
Yeats also won two caps for Scotland.


Trump, Williams reach final of Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters

Trump, Williams reach final of Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters
Updated 07 September 2024
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Trump, Williams reach final of Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters

Trump, Williams reach final of Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters
  • Top seed Judd Trump will take on 3-time world champion Mark Williams on Saturday

RIYADH: Top seed and tournament favorite Judd Trump will take on Mark Williams in the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters final on Saturday night at the Green Halls in Riyadh after victories over Shaun Murphy and Si Jiahui respectively.
On the penultimate day of this year’s inaugural event, billed as “The Battle on the Baize,” Trump and Williams reached the final after coming through two tight contests on Friday.
The world No. 1 Trump went into a 3-0 lead, but Murphy came back strongly by taking the fourth frame with a 65 break before clinching the fifth on the final black ball.
Trump twice regained a two-frame advantage thereafter, leading 4-2 and 5-3 before Murphy leveled the match at 5-5 to force a decider.
In a tense final frame where both had opportunities to take frame and match, Trump capitalized on an uncharacteristic Murphy miss on the last green to seal victory and reach a 46th ranking event final.
“That was a very tough semifinal,” Trump said. “He fought back well and at one point looked like he would win. I let it slip away at times, and when you miss those chances sometimes you get punished.
“I managed to get over the line in the end with a bit of drama and I’m looking forward to tomorrow. It will be a great occasion and a great final for the fans.”
Awaiting “The Ace in the Pack” in Saturday’s best-of-19 showpiece is Welshman Williams, who defeated Chinese wonderkid Si 6-3.
The world No. 9 reeled off four successive frames after going one behind to the 22-year-old, leading 4-1 before eventually closing out the match 6-3.
In another high-quality semifinal, Williams — who will appear in the 42nd ranking event final of his career — made four half-century breaks, with his opponent knocking in breaks of 109 and 136.
The first ever Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters final takes place over two sessions on Saturday, starting at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., crowning the inaugural champion of snooker’s first international major in Riyadh.


Al-Nassr star Ronaldo calls Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea his ‘second home’, describes AlUla as ‘spiritual’

Al-Nassr star Ronaldo calls Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea his ‘second home’, describes AlUla as ‘spiritual’
Updated 07 September 2024
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Al-Nassr star Ronaldo calls Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea his ‘second home’, describes AlUla as ‘spiritual’

Al-Nassr star Ronaldo calls Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea his ‘second home’, describes AlUla as ‘spiritual’

DUBAI: Portuguese football star Ronaldo, who plays for Al-Nassr, said that it was easy for him and his family adapting to Saudi Arabia after signing with the Saudi football club to a two-and-a-half-year contract.

“To be honest, I am really happy to be there [Saudi Arabia],” Ronaldo said in an interview former Portuguese footballer, Rio Ferdinand.

“For me the adaptation was easy, and I really love it to be there,” he said. “It is a lovely country; I love to be there; my family loves to be there.”

Ronaldo was one of the first top-name recruits to the Saudi Pro League at the start of 2023, which paved the way for entry of other big-league players from Europe.

The five-time Ballon d’Or winner began his club career with Portuguese side Sporting CP before joining Manchester United in 2003. Ronaldo moved to Spanish La Liga giants Real Madrid after six seasons at United. He then played for two years with Juventus before making a return to the Red Devils in 2021 where he played until 2023, before departing for the Saudi Pro League.

Ronaldo became the first man to score 900 career goals after tapping in the ball at the 34th minute of Portugal’s UEFA Nations League group stage match against Croatia in Lisbon, which they won 2-1.

The Portuguese football star called Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea his “second house,” adding that he loves to spend time there with his family.

“The Red Sea which is my second home or [even my] first home is unbelievable like a diamond,” he said, adding that it is “one of the most beautiful places” he has ever been to.

Above, Ronaldo and his partner Georgina Rodriguez explore AlUla. (Instagram: @georginagio)

Ronaldo also spoke on AlUla, an increasingly famous tourist spot in Saudi Arabia’s northwest located near two oases, Khaybar and Tayma.

“It is beautiful because it is spiritual, you can feel the energy there. I felt it as well, to be honest,” the Portuguese star said.

“Even in the mountains they have snow. People in Saudi [Arabia]? Yes, they have snow. They have everything, so it is a lovely country.”


England’s Mark Wood out for 2024 with elbow injury, to miss Pakistan Test series

England’s Mark Wood out for 2024 with elbow injury, to miss Pakistan Test series
Updated 07 September 2024
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England’s Mark Wood out for 2024 with elbow injury, to miss Pakistan Test series

England’s Mark Wood out for 2024 with elbow injury, to miss Pakistan Test series
  • The 34-year-old pacer says he needs time to rest, fully expects ‘to be back and firing in early 2025’
  • Wood aims to return for England’s white-ball tour of India, the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan

LONDON: England fast bowler Mark Wood said Friday it was “rubbish news” he had been ruled out for the rest of the year with a right elbow injury.
The 34-year-old express quick had already been sidelined from the concluding two matches of England’s three-Test series against Sri Lanka after suffering a right thigh muscle strain while bowling in the series opener at Old Trafford.
But Friday’s statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board said Wood, a key member of England’s squad as they build toward next year’s Ashes in Australia despite a career blighted by ankle and back problems, had noticed increasing stiffness and discomfort in his elbow during the Test series against the West Indies earlier in the season.
It added Wood had “managed the discomfort” while bowling in Manchester, where England won by five wickets in a Sri Lanka series they are now looking to wrap up with a 3-0 clean sweep in the ongoing third Test at the Oval.
Wood will now miss England’s upcoming three-Test tours of both Pakistan in October and New Zealand in December.
“During what I thought was a routine check on a previously troublesome elbow, I was shocked to learn I’ve got some bone stress in my right elbow,” Wood wrote on Instagram.
“Me and the medical team felt it was a good time to get my elbow looked at as it was a bit irritated. I’d put that down to the normal niggles every fast bowler gets and which I was playing through.”
He added: “I work incredibly hard on my fitness, putting in extra work with coaches and physios making this even more disappointing. I will miss the rest of the year, needing time to rest and build up, (I’m) fully expecting to be back and firing in early 2025.
“I have been down this path before and will put in all the hard yards behind the scenes. I am very proud to represent my country and there is no better feeling. See you for some rockets in 2025!”
The ECB said Wood would aim to return in time for England’s white-ball tour of India and the ICC Champions Trophy in Pakistan, scheduled to begin in February 2025.


Napheesa Collier scores 26 and Lynx overcome Caitlin Clark’s 25-point night for 99-88 win over Fever

Napheesa Collier scores 26 and Lynx overcome Caitlin Clark’s 25-point night for 99-88 win over Fever
Updated 07 September 2024
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Napheesa Collier scores 26 and Lynx overcome Caitlin Clark’s 25-point night for 99-88 win over Fever

Napheesa Collier scores 26 and Lynx overcome Caitlin Clark’s 25-point night for 99-88 win over Fever
  • After trailing 50-45 at halftime, the Lynx bounced back to snap the Fever’s five-game winning streak

INDIANAPOLIS: Napheesa Collier scored nine of her 26 points in the third quarter, Bridget Carleton made three 3-pointers in the final four minutes and the Minnesota Lynx overcame a 25-point night by Caitlin Clark to snap Indiana’s five-game winning streak with a 99-88 win over the Fever on Friday night.
The Lynx trailed 50-45 at halftime before Collier scored nine of their opening 20 points of the third quarter for a 65-57 lead.
Collier blocked Clark’s shot in the paint and Courtney Williams made a jumper from the free-throw line at the other end to extend Minnesota’s lead to 70-60. Clark went to the bench and Myisha Hines-Allen scored the next three points to give Minnesota a 13-point lead.
Indiana made just three field goals in the third quarter before making three in the opening two minutes of the fourth to get back in it.
The Fever were within 81-80 before Carleton sank a 3-pointer from the corner. She added a 3-pointer from the top of the key to make it 87-80 and she grabbed an offensive rebound on the Lynx’s next possession, leading to Williams’ 3-pointer.
Carleton’s third 3-pointer of the frame gave Minnesota a 96-85 lead.
Clark, coming off her second career triple-double on Wednesday, continued her record-breaking season for Indiana (18-17). She made one 3-pointer in the first quarter to become the franchise leader for made 3-pointers in a single season, passing Kelsey Mitchell (102). Clark was 5 of 10 from 3-point range for 107 this season.
Mitchell added 23 and Aliyah Boston scored 20 for Indiana. Mitchell has scored 20-plus points for the eighth time in her last nine games.
Carleton scored 16 points for Minnesota (25-9). Williams added 15 points, to go with seven rebounds to go over 1,500 for her career. Collier also grabbed 10 rebounds.
Carleton closed the first half on a 3-pointer with 7.2 seconds left off a nice pass from Hines-Allen. Then the Lynx scored the opening nine points of the third quarter for a 52-50 lead, their first since 7-6.