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Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who won a gold medal in women’s boxing at the Paris Olympics, has faced renewed scrutiny following the leak of a medical report questioning her eligibility for female competition.
The report, obtained by French journalist Djaffar Ait Aoudia, revealed that Khelif has a condition that affects sexual development, often resulting in ambiguous genitalia and limited secondary male characteristics. It stated that Khelif has internal testicles and an XY chromosome composition, suggesting a possible genetic condition known as 5-alpha reductase deficiency.
The medical document, prepared by professionals from Kremlin-Bicêtre Hospital in Paris and Mohamed Lamine Debaghine Hospital in Algiers in June 2023, also detailed Khelif’s anatomy. It noted the absence of a uterus and the presence of what was described as a micropenis. The report recommended surgical correction and hormone therapy to align Khelif’s physical traits with her self-identified gender.
Khelif has been a controversial figure in women’s sports, particularly following her participation in female boxing competitions. In 2023, the International Boxing Association (IBA) barred her from competing in the World Championship final in New Delhi, igniting a heated debate about gender classifications in sports. This issue was further magnified at the Paris Olympics, with public figures such as Piers Morgan and former U.S. President Donald Trump calling for a review of her eligibility to compete in women's events.
In response to previous controversies, Khelif has consistently defended her identity as a woman, stating, "I was born as a woman, I live as a woman, and I am qualified." Despite the ongoing scrutiny, Khelif’s statement underscores her assertion of gender identity, even as medical reports and public discussions continue to raise questions about her eligibility for female competitions.
