Imane Khelif, an Olympic boxing champion at the centre of a gender controversy during the Paris Games, has her sights set on a second gold medal at the Los Angeles Olympics. She says she isn’t intimidated by recent actions from former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Last month, Trump signed an executive order banning transgender women from competing in female sports categories.
Khelif addressed the matter directly, telling ITV News, “The U.S. president made a decision about transgender policies in America. I am not transgender. This doesn’t concern me, nor does it intimidate me. That’s my answer.”
Earlier this week, Olympic officials recommended boxing be included in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, following provisional recognition of a new governing body. The decision awaits final approval from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) during a full session in Greece.
“Another gold medal? Absolutely,” Khelif said, adding, “In America, Los Angeles.”
Reflecting on her journey, she shared, “This experience has taught me a lot. If the old Imane operated at 50% of her potential, the Imane of today is even more motivated and determined. What happened in Paris opened my eyes, and I feel stronger than ever.”
Khelif disqualified from IBA
Khelif’s victory in Paris, alongside Taiwan’s Lin Yu-Ting, ignited a heated debate about gender eligibility in sports. Prominent figures like Trump and Elon Musk weighed in on the controversy.
Khelif admitted the intense media scrutiny took a toll on her and her family. She revealed that her mother was frequently visiting the hospital due to the stress caused by the widespread attention.
Both Khelif and Lin were disqualified from the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) 2023 World Championships after failing gender eligibility tests. The IOC has since cut ties with the IBA over concerns regarding its finances, governance, and ethics.
The IBA is led by Russian Umar Kremlev, who has ties to the Kremlin. Last month, the IOC provisionally recognized World Boxing as the new body to oversee the sport in future Olympic Games.
Addressing the allegations against her, Khelif told ITV, “In Algeria, we say those with nothing to hide have no fear. The Paris Olympics revealed the injustice, and the truth was later acknowledged by the Olympic Committee.”
Tokyo Olympics and four world championships
She continued, “I see myself as a woman, just like any other. I was born a girl, raised as a girl, and have lived my entire life as one. I’ve competed in numerous tournaments, including the Tokyo Olympics and four world championships.
All of this happened before I started winning major titles. Once I began succeeding, the criticism and campaigns against me started.”
The ongoing debate around transgender athletes and those with differences in sexual development (DSD) remains a key topic in the IOC presidential race, which wraps up Thursday.
Candidates Juan Antonio Samaranch Junior, Sebastian Coe, and Kirsty Coventry have all stressed the need to “protect the women’s category.”
Sebastian Coe, president of World Athletics, previously told AFP, “If we don’t safeguard women’s sports with clear policies, we risk losing them altogether.”
Khelif expressed her hopes for the IOC’s next leader, saying, “I want to see a president who embodies true sportsmanship, respects Olympic values, and prioritizes fair play.”
Khelif declared male
However, the controversy surrounding Khelif reignited after French journalist Djaffar Ait Aoudia shared a medical report regarding her gender. The report, prepared by endocrinologists Soumaya Fedala and Jacques Young in June 2023, claims Khelif was born with male traits, including testicles and a micro-penis.
The report, detailed in Lecorrespondant, stated that Khelif was born without a uterus, had testicles located in her abdomen, and a micro-penis resembling clitoral hypertrophy. It suggested she has 5-alpha reductase deficiency, a condition affecting genital development at birth.
The report also noted a possible connection between her parents, suggesting they may be blood relatives. Recommendations included surgical intervention and hormone therapy.
This medical document emerged months after Khelif’s gold medal win in Paris, where the Games took place in July and August 2023. The findings, compiled by teams at Kremlin-Bicêtre Hospital in Paris and Mohamed Lamine Debaghine Hospital in Algiers, continue to spark debate in the sporting world.
