The streets of Algeria are rolling out a bus amidst a huge cheering crowd. Over Taiwan, three escort fighter jets are flying.
Imane Khelif, Algeria, and Lin Yu-Ting, Taiwan, are back home and have been received with pomp and circumstance. Both won Olympic Games gold in Paris – one in the 66-kilo class and the other in the 57-kilo class – but the debate was about something entirely different.
Last year, the boxers were disqualified in a gender test by the International Boxing Federation (Iba). The International Olympic Committee (IOK), however, believes that the boxing federation's test is not valid, which is why both boxers were allowed to compete in the Olympic Games. The legitimacy of the gender test has been strongly questioned, among other things, because Iba is a federation with connections to corruption, judging scandals, and Russia.
The two boxers' participation in the Olympic Games led to a heated debate and an investigation has been initiated for suspected online hate against Khelif. But in their home countries, the tone is anything but hateful.
"Overcome disinformation and online hate"
Lin Yu-Ting, together with other Taiwanese Olympians, was triumphantly escorted home by three fighter jets and met by a large crowd in Taiwan, reports Inside the games. Lin has been given the nickname "Taiwan's daughter" in Taiwanese media and by President Lai Ching-Te.
Lai has condemned Iba's "malicious attacks" on social media and supported Lin. After the gold medal, the president wrote:
"With an admirable focus and discipline, she has overcome disinformation and online hate and turned adversity into victory. Taiwan's daughter has made our nation proud."
"The people and the government stand behind sports"
Imane Khelif was also lavishly praised in her home country. Algeria's President Abdelmadjid Tebboune wrote on social media:
"We are all proud of you, Olympic champion Imane. Your victory is Algeria's victory. Your gold is Algeria's gold."
In the streets of Algeria, large crowds have followed the matches, and in her hometown of Tiaret, Khelif was celebrated with a bus parade.
I received a warm welcome. All Algerians have the right to be happy and celebrate. Even the president is a fan of Imane Khelif, which shows that both the people and the government stand behind sports, says Khelif according to AFP.
