Denied spot in Paris by the Dutch Olympic committee, Dewi Weber leads the Portland Classic

AIN TAYA, Algeria (AP) — In the weeks since Algeria’s Imane Khelif won an Olympic gold medal in women’s boxing, athletes and coaches in the North African nation say national enthusiasm is inspiring newfound interest in the sport, particularly among women.

Khelif’s image is practically everywhere, featured in advertisements at airports, on highway billboards and in boxing gyms. The 25-year-old welterweight’s success in Paris has vaulted her to national hero status, especially after Algerians rallied behind her in the face of uninformed speculation about her gender and eligibility to compete.

Amateur boxer Zougar Amina, a medical student who’s been practicing for a year, called Khelif an idol and role model.

“Since I’ve been boxing, my personality has changed: I’m more confident, less stressed,” she said, describing the sport as “therapy to fight shyness, to learn to defend myself, to gain self-confidence.”

In Ain Taya, the seaside town east of Algiers where Amina boxes, what local media have termed “Khelifmania” is on full display.

Behind a door wallpapered with a large photograph of the gold medalist, punching bags hang from the ceiling of the local gym, and young girls warm up near a boxing ring surrounded by shelves of masks, gloves and mouth guards.

The 23 young women and girls who train at the gym — an old converted church — all dream of becoming the next Khelif, their coach Malika Abassi said.

Abassi said the women imitate Khelif’s post-win celebrations, hopping around the boxing ring and saluting fans. She’s worried that the interest in boxing will grow so rapidly that her gym won’t be able to handle it.

“We’re getting calls from parents wanting to sign up their daughters,” she said. “I’m the only coach and our gym is small.”

Algerians from all walks of life flocked to squares in the country’s major cities to watch Khelif’s matches broadcast on projectors. Khelif’s story endeared her to the majority of the conservative country’s population, although a few prominent imams and Islamist politicians have criticized the example she sets by wearing her boxing uniform and not a headscarf.

Still, Amina Abassi, another amateur boxer at the same gym unrelated to her coach, said she believes the deep well of support for Khelif will overwhelm any criticism.

“I’m convinced that even conservative families will allow their daughters to take up boxing,” she said. “Imane has broken through the wall of false modesty and hypocrisy.”

Noureddine Bouteldja, a former amateur boxer and sports journalist, said Khelif has transcended boxing and become a “social phenomenon” throughout Algeria thanks to her personal story and the scrutiny she faced from famous people around the world who — unlike Algerians — saw her advancing in the Olympics as part of the culture war over sex, gender and sport.

Algerians rallied behind Khelif in the face of criticism from Donald Trump, Elon Musk, J.K. Rowling and others who falsely claimed she was transgender. They largely interpreted attacks on her as attacks on their nation itself. And unlike much of the international community that coalesced behind Khelif, on social media most couldn’t register the thought of a transgender athlete from Algeria.

“It’s the victory of a woman who has shown extraordinary resilience and phenomenal strength of character in the face of the campaign to denigrate her gender,” Bouteldja said.

Boxing coaches and administrators said Khelif’s rise from a poor child in rural central Algeria to worldwide fame has made her an inspirational figure. Mourad Meziane, head of the Algerian Boxing League, expects a huge spike in registration among young women at the start of this school year in mid September.

Algeria currently has 30 regional boxing leagues and 10,000 athletes participating nationwide, he said.

“The impact is inevitable and will only be very positive for women’s boxing in Algeria,” Meziane said.

Civil society figures and activists said the impact is also sure to reverberate far beyond the boxing ring.

Attorney Aouicha Bakhti said Khelif’s story will have a lasting impact on Algerian culture and be a counterweight to strands of society that discourage women’s participation in sports.

“This kind of epic helps society, ours in this case, which is in the process of retreating in the face of fundamentalist ideals,” said Bakhti, a prominent feminist and political activist.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Gold Glove third baseman Matt Chapman agreed Wednesday to a $151 million, six-year contract with the San Francisco Giants for 2025-30, giving up his chance to become a free agent after the season.

Chapman will get a $1 million signing bonus, payable Jan. 15, and annual salaries of $25 million. The deal assures he will earn $169 million over seven seasons from 2024-30.

He joined the Giants as a free agent in March, agreeing to a contract guaranteeing $54 million over three seasons. That deal gave him the right to opt out after 2024 and 2025. It included a $2 million signing bonus and a $16 million salary for 2024.

Chapman is hitting .247 and leads the Giants with 22 homers, 69 RBIs, 90 runs and 33 doubles. The 31-year-old is a four-time Gold Glove winner and has a .241 career average with 177 homers and 495 RBIs for Oakland (2017-21), Toronto (2022-23) and the Giants.

He was an All-Star in 2019.

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CALGARY – Fans gathered on the front steps of the Scotiabank Saddledome on an emotional Wednesday night as the Calgary Flames held a candlelight vigil for Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew.

The mood was mostly sombre as the crowd grew from hundreds to thousands leading up to the program paying respect to the two brothers who died tragically last week.

Couples embraced, families held hands and fans of all ages wiped back tears in front of the giant memorial that covers the 31 steps leading up to the arena entrance and has spilled over to the grassy hill beside it.

When Flames players, their families and other organizational staff came out onto the stairs wearing No. 13 Gaudreau jerseys, chants of “Johnny, Johnny” broke out from the crowd.

And the emotions lightened as a lineup of speakers shared fond memories of Gaudreau.

“My relationship with Johnny went far beyond this arena. We had a bond that extended to his family, which I will cherish forever,” said Flames general manager Craig Conroy.

“Following his death, it took a couple days for me to compose myself before I could attempt to show my love for Johnny and the Gaudreau family. I believe the best way I can do that tonight is to share some stories from the beginning, before he became Johnny Hockey for the Calgary Flames.”

Conroy told stories about meeting the humble Gaudreau well before he displayed his show-stopping skills at the Saddledome, while Flames captain Mikael Backlund shared memories on behalf of the players.

“Johnny always had a smile on his face, on and off the ice. I’m going to miss that smile. I’m going to miss Johnny chirping me about everything like he always loved to do,” a teary-eyed Backlund said.

“He would always be all over me about anything. ‘Come on, Backs, talk to the coach and get us a day off. Come on Backs, have a beer. Come on Backs, loosen up. Come on Backs, it’s just hockey.’

“I know I’m not as chill as you were, Johnny, but I’m working on it.”

On Aug. 29, the Gaudreau brothers were cycling on a road near their hometown in New Jersey when 43-year-old Sean M. Higgins, driving an SUV in the same direction, attempted to pass two other vehicles and struck them from behind. They were pronounced dead at the scene.

The Calgary tribute of flowers, jerseys, photos, sticks and other items that represent the Gaudreaus has grown exponentially since.

Born-and-raised Calgarian Sydney Salters left two towels from the 2022 playoffs and pucks from the 2019 and 2015 post-seasons on the Saddledome steps.

“I keep trying to not cry about it,” said Salters, her voice cracking. “It’s nice to be able to pay respects. It’s good that it’s here.”

“It’s tragic,” added fan Andrew Scott, who got emotional as he surveyed the size of the memorial. “It shows that Gaudreau was the heart and soul of this team.”

Ten years ago, fans first filed up those same stairs to watch Gaudreau play for the first time on home ice.

The most popular Flames jersey then was Jarome Iginla’s No. 12. That would soon change to Gaudreau’s No. 13 thanks to his emergence into an exciting and dynamic star, despite his five-foot-nine frame.

“I remember all the hype about him coming into town and boy, did he ever deliver,” said Backlund. “He went from being a rookie to an NHL superstar very quickly.”

By the time he played his final game at the Saddledome in the spring of 2022, Gaudreau was part of arguably the NHL’s top line that season with Elias Lindholm and Matthew Tkachuk.

A fourth-round pick in 2011, Gaudreau racked up 609 points (210 goals, 399 assists) during his time with the Flames, the fifth most in the NHL over that span behind Connor McDavid, Patrick Kane, Sidney Crosby and Leon Draisaitl.

His time with the Flames culminated in a career-best 40 goals and 115 points in his final season with Calgary, before he joined the Columbus Blue Jackets.

His 90 even-strength points that season were the most since Jaromir Jagr (95) in 1995-96. The same Jagr who Gaudreau set up for his 766th and final NHL goal on Nov. 9, 2017.

Gaudreau became a superstar that was a fan favourite.

“Never met the guy, never talked to him, but he was part of my heart, and when he left, he was still part of my heart,” said fan Craig McLeay.

“You can see from all the people that are here right now, they’re here for the guy and the person he was, what he did for this community. He came out and put a show on for us and it was a pleasure to watch every game he played here.”

After Flames icon Lanny McDonald, Backlund and Conroy spoke, fans held up their phones while displaying candle app — and the 13-minute vigil began.

The ceremony was capped off by a special rendition of Johnny B. Goode by country music artist, George Canyon, the team’s anthem singer.

The vigil kicked off a 13-day observance of the memorial.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 4, 2024.