Last year, the International Olympic Committee made the significant decision to revoke its recognition of the International Boxing Association (IBA) as a global governing entity, citing various concerns related to ethics, financial practices, and governance issues. Additionally, the Olympic committee criticized the IBA’s gender testing procedures, labeling them as ‘illegitimate’ and unworthy of any further discussion. Khelif, who was raised as a girl and is identified as female on her passport, spoke about the impact of this controversy during an interview with SNTV on August 4. The 25-year-old athlete expressed in Arabic, “I urge everyone around the world to uphold the principles of the Olympics and the Olympic Charter, and to avoid bullying athletes, as it has profound consequences. It can devastate individuals, harm their mental well-being, and create divisions among people. Therefore, I implore them to stop the bullying. I maintain contact with my family twice a week and hope they are not too deeply affected. They are concerned for my well-being. With hope, I believe this crisis will lead to a gold medal, which would be the most fitting response.”
I believe the Olympic Committee has rendered a fair decision, and I am pleased with this outcome as it reflects the truth. I am indifferent to others’ opinions. My focus is on competing for a medal, and I am determined to strive for improvement, with God’s help. I will continue to enhance my skills, just like every other athlete. Khelif’s father also shared his thoughts with the Daily Mail, stating, “Imane has been passionate about sports since she was six, starting with football. The critics and rumors are intended to undermine her, as they do not wish for her to become a world champion. I encourage her to demonstrate her capabilities in the ring, and I hope she brings honor to Algeria and the Arab nations by winning the gold medal. She serves as our role model, inspiring us to emulate her and bring pride to Algeria and Tiaret.”
Wife shares heartbreaking message after husband
Wednesday, March 27, saw the start of recovery operations in Maryland as searchers continued to look for the six people who were thought to have died following the terrible fall of Baltimore’s Francis Scott Key Bridge.
A 985-foot-long tanker collided with the bridge early on Tuesday, sending parts of it tumbling into the Patapsco River. Six construction workers from Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador were listed as missing, according to CNN.
The US Coast Guard, however, has now said that it will halt its extensive search and rescue operation after coming to the conclusion that the men have passed away.
Miguel Luna, 49, a husband and father of three who was born in El Salvador and has lived in Maryland for almost 20 years, was one of the people identified. When the bridge collapsed, Luna was among the workers assigned to fix its potholes, as the BBC reported.
While ongoing recovery attempts continued, Miguel Luna’s wife, María del Carmen Castellón, voiced her sadness and the family eagerly awaited news.
They merely advise us to wait and that they are unable to provide us any information at this time. We are inconsolable because we don’t know if they have already saved them and our hearts are torn. In an interview with Telemundo 44, Maria bemoaned, “We’re just waiting to hear any news.”
Among the workers who went missing was Maynor Yassir Suazo Sandoval, 38, who was also identified as a victim. Maynor, a married father of an 18-year-old son and a 5-year-old daughter, was originally from Honduras. His brother Martin Suazo stated that he had lived in the United States for almost eighteen years.
The fall occurred early on Tuesday morning while the six workers—including Maynor—were working on fixing potholes on the bridge. They worked for a nearby firm called Brawner Builders, which maintains bridges in Maryland.
Senior executive Jeffrey Pritzker of Brawner Builders emphasized the company’s dedication to safety while expressing deep dismay at the incident’s unexpected nature.
Jeffrey said, “This was so completely unforeseen.” “We’re at a loss for words. We have cones, signs, lighting, barriers, and flaggers because we take such great interest in maintaining safety. However, we never anticipated that the bridge would fall.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who are missing and thought to be deceased.
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