In a shocking turn of events, the gender identity of Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer who recently clinched gold in women’s boxing at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, has come under intense scrutiny due to a leaked medical report.
The document, secured by French journalist Djaffar Ait Aoudia, reveals that Khelif possesses internal testicles and XY chromosomes, suggesting a condition known as 5-alpha reductase insufficiency.
Prepared by experts from Kremlin-Bicêtre Hospital in Paris and Mohamed Lamine Debaghine Hospital in Algiers in June 2023, the report details Khelif’s biological traits, including the absence of a uterus and the presence of a micropenis, as reported by Redux.
This revelation, while startling, is not entirely new; Khelif’s XY chromosomes were disclosed in the past, which led to the International Boxing Association (IBA) banning her from competing in the World Championship Gold Medal fight in New Delhi in 2023.
Khelif, who made headlines during the Olympics for her impressive physique, defeated Chinese opponent Ying Liutang in the final match of the women’s boxing 66 kg category with a score of 0-5, solidifying her status as a champion.
However, the leak of her medical report has sparked a broader discussion about gender identity and eligibility in sports, raising critical questions about the intersection of biology and competition.
As the world reacts to this unexpected development, the focus now shifts to the implications for Khelif’s athletic career and the ongoing dialogue surrounding gender and sports.