Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif faces intense scrutiny after a leaked medical report allegedly confirms XY chromosomes, prompting new mandatory sex testing requirements for female boxers.
At a Glance
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif won Olympic gold in the women’s 66kg category despite gender eligibility questions
- A leaked medical report allegedly confirms Khelif has XY chromosomes, contradicting her public statements
- Khelif was previously disqualified from the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships after failing a gender test
- World Boxing has implemented mandatory genetic testing for all competitors, specifically requiring PCR tests
- The controversy highlights broader debates about fairness and gender identity in women’s sports
Medical Report Sparks New Controversy
The debate surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif intensified this week after a leaked medical report allegedly confirmed the Olympic gold medalist has XY chromosomes. This revelation directly contradicts Khelif’s public statements about her gender identity. The report, which has been circulating but not independently verified, appears to validate concerns raised during the Paris Olympics when Khelif competed in and won the women’s welterweight boxing category. The leak has reignited calls from critics to strip Khelif of her medal and reevaluate eligibility standards in women’s sports.
This controversy follows Khelif’s disqualification from the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships after reportedly failing a gender eligibility test. Despite this previous disqualification, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) permitted Khelif to compete in the Paris Games, citing her documentation identifying her as female.
The stark contrast between the IOC’s position and the leaked medical evidence has created confusion about the standards governing women’s sports competitions and raised questions about transparency in the eligibility process.
Oliver Brown
"Imane Khelif scandal brings everlasting shame on the IOC
Sport’s most powerful administrators became so seduced by gender ideology that they were prepared to put the lives of female boxers in peril
Algeria’s Imane Khelif after winning a controversial gold medal…
— Ronni Nicole #KPSS (@RonniNicole1) June 3, 2025
Khelif’s Defense and New Testing Requirements
Throughout the controversy, Khelif has maintained her identity as a woman. Following her Olympic victory, she stated firmly: “I am a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman, I lived as a woman and I competed as a woman.” She has filed a criminal cyberbullying complaint in France and reportedly plans to challenge the accusations both legally and in the public sphere. The leaked report has placed her defensive stance under greater scrutiny, particularly as it appears to confirm what critics have claimed since the Olympics began.
“I am a woman like any other woman. I was born a woman, I lived as a woman and I competed as a woman.”, said Imane Khelif.
In response to the ongoing controversy, World Boxing, a newly formed governing body recently approved to oversee Olympic boxing, has announced mandatory sex testing for all athletes. The policy requires PCR genetic testing to determine eligibility for male or female categories. After initially naming Khelif specifically in their announcement, World Boxing issued an apology for potentially violating her privacy. “I am writing to you all personally to offer a formal and sincere apology for this and acknowledge that her privacy should have been protected,” stated Boris van der Vorst, the organization’s president.
Are Taiwanese National Sentiments Overlooking Another Aspect of J.K. Rowling’s Critique on Boxer Lin Yu-Ting’s Gender Issue?
On July 29, The @Guardian, traditionally classified as left-leaning, reported a controversy regarding two boxers — Lin Yu-Ting from Chinese Taipei and… pic.twitter.com/pOfPtWrZnk
— 周子愉 Fausto Chou (@FaustoChou) August 2, 2024
Broader Implications for Women’s Sports
The Khelif controversy represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing debate about fairness and inclusion in women’s sports. Conservative commentators have been particularly vocal about what they see as biological males competing against females. Media personality Piers Morgan, who faced criticism for his early commentary on Khelif, responded to the leaked report by saying: “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.”
“It was very obvious that this person was a male,” BlazeTV host Allie Beth Stuckey says on “Relatable.” “There were several reports that this person was male. Many others said this person was male. And I was told by many people, including people on the right, that this was absolutely cruel, that this was inhumane, that the right is getting this wrong.”, said Allie Beth Stuckey.
Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting faced similar accusations after winning gold in the women’s featherweight category. Both cases highlight the challenges sports governing bodies face in establishing consistent, scientifically-based eligibility standards that balance inclusion with competitive fairness. The International Boxing Association was previously suspended from overseeing Olympic boxing due to governance concerns, creating a regulatory vacuum that complicated the handling of gender eligibility disputes. As World Boxing implements its new testing requirements, athletes like Khelif must undergo genetic screening before competing in female categories again.
