November 5, 2024: A new controversy has erupted surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who gained international attention during the Paris 2024 Olympics. Khelif, who secured a gold medal in the women's 66kg boxing category, has been at the center of a heated debate about her eligibility, with critics questioning her gender and biological sex throughout the competition.
Now, a leaked medical report has confirmed the allegations, revealing that Khelif is biologically male. The report, which was obtained by French journalist Djaffar Ait Aoudia, indicates that Khelif has internal testicles, XY chromosomes, and a condition known as 5-alpha reductase insufficiency—a rare disorder that can lead to ambiguous genitalia. The findings, which were reportedly compiled by medical experts from two hospitals—Kremlin-Bicetre in Paris and Mohamed Lamine Debaghine in Algiers—suggest that Khelif possesses male biological traits, including the absence of a uterus and the presence of a micropenis, as confirmed by an MRI scan.
The leaked information has ignited a global debate over the fairness of Khelif's participation in the women's event, as the boxer’s eligibility was a hot topic leading up to and during the Paris Olympics. Many athletes and critics raised concerns about Khelif's testosterone levels and overall fitness to compete in the women’s category, arguing that Khelif's biological traits gave her an unfair advantage.
In the wake of the leaked medical report, the controversy has taken on new dimensions. Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has weighed in on the issue, taking to social media to express his outrage. Singh tagged the official Olympics account, urging them to strip Khelif of the gold medal she won in Paris. “This is not fair to all the other athletes who trained and competed within the rules,” Singh wrote. “The IOC and Olympic committees need to take swift action and reverse this decision.”
Khelif’s victory at the Paris Olympics came amid significant scrutiny, with critics questioning whether her participation in the women’s division was appropriate. At the time, the International Boxing Association (IBA) had even banned her from competing in the World Championship Gold Medal fight in New Delhi in 2023, citing similar concerns.
The case gained further international attention when U.S. presidential candidate Donald Trump seized on it as part of his campaign platform, using Khelif’s example to criticize the Biden-Harris administration's policy on gender and sports. Trump sought to make Khelif’s participation a central issue in the ongoing debate over transgender athletes in women’s sports, turning the controversy into a political talking point.
As the fallout from the leaked report continues to unfold, questions about the fairness and ethics of transgender and intersex athletes' participation in gender-segregated competitions are expected to remain a prominent topic of discussion in sports policy circles. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has yet to issue an official statement on the matter.