Imane Khelif is drawing a line in the sand.
Just days after the World Boxing Association mandated that female fighters undergo compulsory gender testing, new insights are emerging about the Olympic gold medalist.
According to a report by Alan Abrahamson of 3 Wire Sports, Khelif’s medical test records from 2022 and 2023 leading up to the Paris Olympics have been leaked.
At 26, Khelif has consistently identified as female, yet a recent assessment revealed she possesses male XY chromosomes, as indicated by a 2023 test conducted by an authorized Indian physician.
“Chromosome analysis reveals male karyotype,” stated the assessment results.
The testing was performed by Dr. Lal Path Labs in New Delhi, a facility accredited by the American College of Pathologists and recognized by the International Organization for Standardization, prior to the tournament.
In spite of these findings, the International Olympic Committee dismissed the test, labeling it “not legitimate” and “ad hoc,” according to reports from the Telegraph, thus granting Khelif the opportunity to compete in the women’s division at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
This week, Khelif addressed the public for the first time since the news broke.
Her Instagram post, shared on Monday, did not reference the test results. Instead, it celebrated Unicef’s ‘Global Day of Parents’ and featured a photo of Khelif wearing a blue polo with the charity’s logo, forming a heart shape with her hands.
View this post on Instagram
In her message, Khelif expressed gratitude towards her parents, highlighting their unwavering support throughout her journey.
‘Today, I became a champion, but it all started long ago,’ she wrote. ‘When my parents believed in me, even when the dream felt too big. When they supported me, listened to me, and stood by me.
‘Being a parent isn’t easy. There’s no manual. But the love, patience, and trust you give your child can change everything.
‘On this #GlobalDayOfParents, I just want to say thank you. Thank you to every parent who chooses, every single day, to be there for their children.
‘Together with @unicefalgerie, I’m celebrating these everyday heroes. Because when parents are supported, children can dream and succeed.’
Imane Khelif Faces Restrictions Until Gender Testing
The world of boxing has made headlines with the announcement that all athletes participating in women’s categories are now subject to “mandatory sex testing,” specifically targeting Khelif.
A report from BBC Sport on May 30 highlighted that the 26-year-old is “not allowed to fight in the female category at World Boxing competitions until she undergoes a mandatory sex test.”
This test aims to assess chromosomal composition.
World Boxing stated that athletes can compete if they possess “the presence of XX chromosomes or the absence of Y chromosome genetic material (the SRY gene), or undergo a DSD where male androgenization does not occur,” effectively restricting participation to intersex individuals who present as women and do not produce significant testosterone levels. Furthermore, those who do not meet these criteria “will be eligible to compete in the male category.”
A letter sent to the Algerian Boxing Federation made it clear: “Imane Khelif may not participate in the female category at the Eindhoven Box Cup, from June 5-10, 2025, and at any World Boxing event until she undergoes genetic sex screening in accordance with World Boxing’s rules and testing procedures.”
Additionally, Khelif’s situation comes on the heels of her previous statements regarding the Protection of Women in Sports Act, where she delivered a strong message to President Donald Trump.
Image Source: Imane Khelif @ Instagram
