PARIS — Algerian gymnast Kaylia Nemour secured the first gold medal for the Arab world at the Paris 2024 Olympics, triumphing in the women's uneven bars competition on Sunday. This victory marks Algeria's sixth gold medal in the history of its participation in the Summer Games.

Emotions ran high for the 17-year-old, born in France, as she outperformed China's Qiuan Qiu and the USA's Sunisa Lee in the final, becoming the first African Olympic champion in gymnastics.

Nemour, who qualified first in the uneven bars with an impressive score of 15.600, surpassed the second-placed and reigning world champion, China's Qiu Qi Yan, by more than half a point.

Expressing her excitement in an interview with the AFP in Rimini, Italy, during the European Championships, Nemour said, "At 17, I'm just starting my career!" Her journey changed dramatically three years ago due to a growth spurt that caused osteochondritis, requiring surgery on both knees.

Marc Chirelsinko, her coach at the small club in Avion-Beaumont (Indre-et-Loire), managed with his wife Gina, explained, "It's quite rare, but she was very sensitive to it." Nemour had to pause her budding career for a year. In 2022, despite planning a comeback, she faced restrictions from a French gymnastics federation doctor. "Experts in sports medicine and surgery decided on temporary practice restrictions," said Dr. Pierre Pilar. "We told Kaylia she could resume on the uneven bars if things went well, with monitoring. Over time, we might allow her more apparatus use if her knees are fully protected."

Nemour's family contested the French federation's decision, leading to a legal battle that lasted several months, parallel to a dispute between her club and the federation. "Kaylia was excluded from the French national team," said Chirelsinko. "When things worsened, her family contacted the Algerian federation. It wasn't by chance."

Thus, Kaylia Nemour began representing Algeria, competing in the World Championships last October and now at the Paris Olympics. Her coach, who has followed her since childhood, remarked, "I often say Kaylia is French but chose to represent Algeria due to her sporting convictions. I think she found balance."

Nemour, whose father works in IT and whose mother is always busy, grew up in a family with five siblings—two brothers and three sisters, the youngest being Elena, who might compete in the 2032 Olympics. Nemour, who stands 1.60 meters tall, has a larger build compared to other gymnasts, described by her coach as "elegant and flexible." She is passionate about baking and dreams of opening her own bakery one day. She also loves romantic novels. — Agencies