Father of Algerian Boxer Khalif: They Are Attacking My Daughter Unethically

The father of Algerian boxer Imane Khalif defended his daughter after she made headlines as a contender for an Olympic medal, following the withdrawal of her Italian opponent, Angela Carini, just 46 seconds into their match. He encouraged the Algerian champion to silence her critics and win a gold medal for her country, stating in comments reported by "The Sun": "The attacks against her are unethical and unfair. Imane is a young girl who has loved sports since she was six years old, when she used to play football." He added: "These critics aim to destabilize Imane; they do not want her to become the world champion. I tell her to prove them wrong, and I hope she can honor Algeria and the Arab nations by winning the gold medal. She is a role model for us." He continued: "She grew up as a girl, and she is a strong girl. I raised her to be diligent and courageous; she has a strong will to work and train. The Italian opponent she faced could not overcome my daughter because Imane was stronger."