Algerian boxer Imane Khelif’s victory in the women’s welterweight (66kg) category at the 2024 Paris Olympics has been overshadowed by a contentious debate regarding her biological sex.

A recently leaked medical report from the 2023 World Championships claims that Khelif possesses male chromosomes, specifically an XY karyotype, suggesting she is biologically male.

This revelation has ignited widespread controversy and raised questions about gender verification in sports.(Wikipedia, The Times of India, New York Post)

The Leaked Medical Report

The disputed medical document, reportedly prepared in June 2023 by endocrinologists at Paris’ Kremlin-Bicêtre Hospital and Algeria’s Mohamed Lamine Debaghine Hospital, alleges that Khelif has internal testicles, no uterus, and a micropenis, indicative of a condition known as 5-alpha reductase deficiency.

This condition affects sexual development in males and can result in ambiguous genitalia at birth, often leading to assignment as female at birth.

The report further suggests that Khelif may have been born to consanguineous parents and recommends surgical correction and hormone therapy .(India Today, mint)

The authenticity of this report has been widely disputed.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has dismissed the findings as “unverified documents whose origin cannot be confirmed,” and the Algerian Olympic Committee has condemned the report as a “baseless attack” aimed at tarnishing Khelif’s reputation .(Deutsche Welle)

Previous Gender Eligibility Controversies

Prior to the Olympics, Khelif faced disqualification from the 2023 World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) due to alleged failure of gender verification tests.

The IBA claimed that Khelif had elevated testosterone levels or male chromosomes, but did not disclose the testing methodology or provide substantial evidence to support these claims.

The IOC, which oversaw boxing at the Paris Olympics due to the IBA’s suspension, cleared Khelif to compete, deeming the IBA’s tests “illegitimate” .(The Sun, Wikipedia, Deutsche Welle)

Khelif’s Response and Legal Actions

Khelif has consistently identified as a woman and has publicly defended her eligibility to compete in the women’s category.

Following the leaked medical report, she has initiated legal proceedings against media outlets and public figures who disseminated the information without verification.

Notably, she has named Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling in her lawsuit, alleging cyberbullying and defamation .(Deutsche Welle, ibtimes.sg, The Sun)

In her statements, Khelif emphasized the personal toll of the controversy, stating that such attacks can “destroy people’s thoughts, spirit and mind,” and called for an end to the harassment.

She has also expressed a desire to focus on her athletic achievements rather than the ongoing debate over her gender .(Wikipedia)

Broader Implications

The controversy surrounding Khelif highlights the complexities and sensitivities involved in gender verification in sports.

While the IOC and other governing bodies have established protocols for determining athlete eligibility, the accuracy and fairness of these tests remain subjects of debate.

The case also underscores the challenges faced by athletes with differences of sexual development (DSDs), who may be subject to invasive testing and public scrutiny.(ibtimes.sg, Arab News)

As Khelif prepares for the 2028 Olympics, the outcome of her legal actions and the ongoing discussions about gender and fairness in sports will likely influence future policies and practices regarding athlete eligibility.

For now, Khelif remains steadfast in her assertion of her identity and her right to compete as a woman.(The Sun)

• The Sun

• The Times of India

• New York Post