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Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Imane Khelif is a man: Leaked medical report shows Olympic gold-medalist in women's division has male karyotype
A leaked medical report has triggered renewed scrutiny over Algerian Olympic gold medallist Imane Khelif, allegedly identifying her as biologically male. The report, said to originate from a New Delhi laboratory, reignites the debate around eligibility in women's sport, particularly in high-impact disciplines such as boxing. The document, reportedly dated March 2023, claims Khelif possesses a male karyotype. It surfaced days after World Boxing mandated that Khelif undergo genetic sex screening before returning to female competitions. The governing body stated she is barred from participating in events, including the upcoming Eindhoven Box Cup, unless the tests are completed in line with new eligibility standards. World Boxing will introduce mandatory sex testing, to determine the eligibility of male and female athletes that want to take part in its competitions. For full story, click here: #TimeForWorldBoxing — World Boxing (@RealWorldBoxing) May 30, 2025 Khelif won gold at the Paris Olympics in 2024, representing Algeria in the women's boxing category. Her participation followed a 2023 disqualification by the now-defunct International Boxing Association (IBA) over a failed gender eligibility test. At the time, questions around the legitimacy of those results were raised by then-International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach. The current report, first circulated by journalist Alan Abrahamson via 3 Wire Sports, claims to originate from Dr Lal PathLabs in India, a facility certified by international and American accreditation bodies. World Boxing said the testing aligns with its revised 'Sex, Age and Weight' policy, introduced in May 2025, designed to protect athlete safety and uphold fair competition in combat sports. Under the policy, athletes aged 18 or older must undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests to determine the presence of the SRY gene — a marker for the Y chromosome. The governing body explained that, while rule changes are typically approved by Congress, its executive board enacted emergency amendments due to evolving competitive risks. 'These new eligibility rules were developed with the express purpose of safeguarding athletes in combat sports,' the organisation said. Public figures including broadcaster Piers Morgan, former Olympian Sharron Davies and activist Riley Gaines reacted strongly to the alleged findings, with Morgan calling for an apology from critics of his past comments on the issue. The biology-denying woke brigade abused and shamed me for saying it was outrageous and dangerous for Khelif to be beating up women at the Olympics. I'm ready for their apology, but won't hold my breath. — Piers Morgan (@piersmorgan) June 2, 2025 Meanwhile, Davies lamented a perceived erosion of women's sport, and Gaines referred to Khelif using male pronouns. In response to previous accusations, Khelif has firmly denied claims about her gender identity and has continued public appearances following her Olympic triumph. She has previously declared her intent to defend her title at the Los Angeles Games in 2028. To all the people that insisted Imane Khelif was a woman because his passport said so, You were wrong. We were right. Sincerely, People with functioning eyes and a shred of honesty — Riley Gaines (@Riley_Gaines_) June 1, 2025 The Algerian Olympic Committee has rejected past reports as 'unsubstantiated allegations' designed to damage the reputation of an athlete who 'brought honour to our nation.' Khelif was not the only boxer under scrutiny in Paris. Taiwan's Lin Yu-ting also competed and won despite prior disqualification by the IBA over similar grounds. World Boxing has reiterated that athletes remain ineligible to compete if their sex certification is challenged and unresolved. The body said it aims to ensure a 'safe and competitive playing field' moving forward.
News18
6 days ago
- Sport
- News18
World Boxing Set To Introduce Mandatory Gender Testing
Last Updated: The governing body announced the introduction of mandatory gender tests in order to determine the eligibility of pugilists who intend to participate in its events. World Boxing announced the introduction of mandatory gender tests in order to determine the eligibility of pugilists who intend to participate in the governing body's events. The move comes in response to the ubiquitous uproar stirred up during the Paris 2024 Olympic games over the participation of boxer Imane Khelif in the women's category. The Algerian boxer, who clinched women's welterweight gold medal at the Games in France, has been informed that she would have to take the test in order to be able to compete at the upcoming Eindhoven Box Cup in the Netherlands. World Boxing will introduce mandatory sex testing, to determine the eligibility of male and female athletes that want to take part in its full story, click here: #TimeForWorldBoxing — World Boxing (@RealWorldBoxing) May 30, 2025 'World Boxing has written to the Algerian Boxing Federation to inform it that Imane Khelif will not be allowed to participate in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup or any World Boxing event until Imane Khelif undergoes sex testing," the world governing body said. 'In accordance with the World Boxing Statutes, amendments to the Competition Rules are typically made by Congress. However, under special or emergency circumstances, the World Boxing Executive Board holds the authority to make immediate amendments when a rule is deemed no longer functional or when evolving conditions necessitate a change," World Boxing continued. 'In May 2025, the Executive Board exercised this authority and adopted new eligibility criteria for participation in sex-specific boxing categories. These new eligibility rules were developed with the express purpose of safeguarding athletes in combat sports, particularly given the physical risks associated with Olympic-style boxing," the statement added. The controversy at Paris around the gender eligibility was not limited to Khelif alone as Taiwanese pugilist Lin Yu-Ting also faced scrutiny over the same en route to her gold triumph in the women's featherweight category. Then IOC chief Thomas Bach defender the participation of the boxers in their respective events stating that, 'There was never any doubt about them being a woman". World Boxing will organise the boxing competition at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. First Published:
