Boxer Imane Khelif made her professional debut at the 2018 World Championships, finishing 17th, and secured the 19th spot in the 2019 edition.
A significant controversy has emerged at the Paris Olympic Games 2024 concerning the participation of boxer Imane Khelif in the women’s events, despite her having male chromosomes. The issue gained traction when Khelif faced Italian boxer Angela Carini, who withdrew from their match after just 46 seconds, citing concerns for her safety.
This is not the first time Khelif has faced such scrutiny; she was previously disqualified from the 2023 championships over questions about gender eligibility.
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Who is Imane Khelif?
Imane Khelif, a 25-year-old boxer from Tiaret, Algeria, currently serves as a UNICEF ambassador. Her journey in boxing began against the wishes of her father, who disapproved of the sport for girls. Khelif aimed to inspire future generations by winning gold on the world’s biggest stage.
She made her professional debut at the 2018 World Championships, finishing 17th, and secured the 19th spot in the 2019 edition. At the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, Khelif reached the quarter-finals but was defeated by Ireland’s Kellie Harrington.
She earned a silver medal in the Women’s World Boxing Championships after losing to Amy Broadhurst and won gold medals at the 2022 African Championships, the Mediterranean Games, and the 2023 Arab Games.
The controversy first arose during the 2023 World Boxing Championships in New Delhi when Khelif was barred from competing by IBA President Umar Kremlev, who cited DNA tests showing that some athletes with XY chromosomes were attempting to compete as women.
The Algerian Olympic Committee attributed her disqualification to “medical reasons,” while Algerian media reported high testosterone levels as the cause, according to Reuters.
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Imane Khelif expressed her dissatisfaction, alleging a conspiracy to prevent Algeria from winning a gold medal.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has addressed Khelif’s eligibility for the Paris Olympics. IOC spokesperson Mark Adams stated that Khelif’s passport identifies her as female, and thus she competes in the women’s 66kg division in compliance with the competition rules.
This decision has sparked criticism from several female boxing champions, including Claressa Shields and Ebanie Bridges, while the Algerian Olympic Committee has supported Khelif and condemned the reports against her.