Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who won gold in the women’s 66 kg event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is facing intense scrutiny after a leaked medical report declared she is biologically male.
The document, dated March 2023 and reportedly issued by a New Delhi laboratory, has reignited global debates on gender eligibility in women’s sports.
In 2023, Khelif was disqualified from the Women’s World Boxing Championships shortly before the final bout due to medical testing conducted by the International Boxing Association (IBA).
Despite this, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) permitted her to participate in the 2024 Paris Olympics, citing her legal identification as female and questioning the legitimacy of the earlier test results.
Following the leak, World Boxing—the new governing body for Olympic boxing—has implemented a policy requiring all female athletes over the age of 18 to undergo genetic sex testing.
Under this policy, Khelif is not banned but must comply with the verification process before she can compete in future World Boxing events.
The situation has sparked intense reactions online. Critics argue that the medal result was unfair, with some users posting, “Give the real women the medal,” and calling for the Olympic podium to be reassessed. Others have questioned the IOC’s criteria for eligibility, urging for clearer rules in future competitions.
As of this writing, neither Khelif nor the IOC has issued a public statement regarding the leaked document or her current eligibility status.
