Is controversial boxer Imane Khelif biologically male? All about the Algerian amid viral theory

By Neelabhra Roy

Modified Aug 02, 2024 16:21 GMT

Boxer Imane Khelif is currently competing in the women's 66kg category at the ongoing Paris Olympics, a year after being disqualified from the World Championships due to failing a gender test. However, reports claim that the 25-year-old Algerian is a woman with DSD.

DSD stands for Differences of Sexual Development, which is a set of conditions that involve reproductive organs and hormones. Some women with DSD have testosterone levels similar to men or even XY chromosomes, one of which is allegedly the case with Khelif.

Khelif and Lin Yu-Ting were disqualified from the 2023 World Championships in New Delhi because they did not meet the eligibility criteria to compete in the women's tournament. The IBA claimed that the Algerian initially appealed to the CAS about her disqualification but later withdrew it.

Imane Khelif came into the limelight during the ongoing Paris Olympics after her round-of-16 opponent in the 66kg division, Angela Carini, withdrew from their bout after just 46 seconds. The Italian was in tears after the fight and refused to shake hands with the Algerian.

It must be noted, however, the Khelif passed the gender eligibility test conducted by the IOC at the Paris Olympics. That means she has been adjudged biologically female by the IOC, contrary to the viral theory about her.

"The Algerian boxer was born female, was registered female, lived her life as a female, boxed as a female, has a female passport," IOC spokesperson Mark Adams said on Friday, as reported by BBC.

"I am not here to judge" - Angela Carini on whether Imane Khelif should be allowed to compete at the Olympics

Imane Khelif (blue) in action at the Tokyo Olympics

Speaking after withdrawing from her fight against Imane Khelif Angela Carini said that it wasn't for her to judge or decide whether Imane Khelif deserved to compete in the Olympics or not.

"I am not here to judge or pass judgment,” the Italian said, as quoted by Guardian. “If an athlete is this way, and in that sense it’s not right or it is right, it’s not up to me to decide. I just did my job as a boxer. I got into the ring and fought. I did it with my head held high and with a broken heart for not having finished the last kilometer."

Having booked her place in the quarterfinals, Khelif will next face Hungary's Luca Hamori. Whichever of the two wins the bout, will take on either Tokyo 2020 gold medalist Busenaz Surmeneli from Turkiye or Thailand's Janjaem Suwannapheng.

The Algerian is competing in her second edition of the Olympics, having previously participated in the women's lightweight category at Tokyo 2020. She reached the quarterfinals after defeating Tunisia's Mariem Homrani 5-0 (by unanimous decision). There, Khelif lost to eventual gold medalist Kellie Harrington in similar fashion.