Controversy Surrounds Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif Amid Claims She is a “Biological Male”

 

A recent report has reignited controversy around Algerian Olympic boxer Imane Khelif, alleging she is a "biological male" and prompting calls for her to be stripped of her gold medal. This claim, reported first by German newspaper Bild, is based on an unverified leaked document that allegedly includes findings from French and Algerian endocrinologists.

Khelif, along with Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting, previously faced scrutiny after both athletes reportedly failed gender eligibility tests during last year’s world championships, though they were still cleared to compete at the Olympics. Now, the latest report alleges that Khelif possesses male characteristics, raising new questions about her eligibility in the women's division.

The leaked report, dated to 2023, was supposedly a collaborative effort between experts from France’s Kremlin-Bicetre hospital in Paris and Algeria’s Mohamed Lamine Debaghine hospital. The legitimacy of the report remains uncertain, yet it has sparked strong reactions online.

British commentator Piers Morgan reacted on X, formerly Twitter, expressing anger at the International Olympic Committee's decision to allow Khelif to compete. “Confirmation of what some of us said at the time: Khelif is a biological man. The gold medal should now be stripped and awarded to the best actual woman,” he wrote. Tennis legend Martina Navratilova also voiced her support for Morgan’s stance, claiming that critics were ridiculed for raising concerns about Khelif’s eligibility.

Despite the backlash, Khelif has been firm in her response to the controversy. After her gold-medal victory, in which she defeated China’s Yang Liu by unanimous decision, she dismissed the allegations, asserting, “I am fully qualified to take part in this competition. I’m a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman, I lived as a woman, I competed as a woman, there’s no doubt about that.” She further criticized her detractors as “enemies of success,” adding that their criticisms only made her triumph more meaningful.

Public figures like J.K. Rowling, Elon Musk, and Donald Trump have weighed in on the issue, amplifying calls for stricter regulations on gender eligibility in women’s sports. As the controversy continues, the IOC may face increased pressure to address eligibility rules to avoid similar disputes in the future.