The world of sports is no stranger to controversy, and marquee events like the Olympics often spark global debates. However, few have ignited as much discussion as the case of Imane Khelif, the 25-year-old Olympic gold-winning boxer from Algeria. Imane’s Olympic journey has been mired in accusations and controversies following a quick victory on August 1 over Italian boxer Angela Carini.
Carini abruptly retired from the fight after receiving what she described as the most powerful punch she’s ever received. She did not shake Khelif’s hand afterward but later apologized, stating that was not her intention.
Khelif’s victory over Carini set off reactions from around the world, including blame trading between the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Boxing Association (IBA), and comments from notable figures such as Italy’s Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, US Presidential Candidate Donald Trump, social media platform X owner Elon Musk, and author J.K. Rowling.
These controversies center around unfounded accusations that Imane is a transgender athlete competing in women’s boxing. These unverified claims allege that Imane is biologically male and unfairly competing against female athletes. However, as IOC spokesman Mark Adams clarified, “The Algerian boxer was born female, was registered female, lived her life as a female, boxed as a female, and has a female passport. This is not a transgender case.”
Interestingly, Imane was born and grew up in Algeria, a country that does not allow legal gender changes and where gender-affirming care is banned.
However, the fraught relationship between the IOC and the IBA exacerbated this situation. Before 2019, the IBA was the governing body for boxing at the Olympics. In 2019, the IOC suspended the IBA over concerns about its finances, ethics, and governance. In 2023, the IOC stripped the IBA of its status as the world governing body in sports.
The IBA did not share specifics about the tests used to disqualify Imane. An official statement claimed Imane did not undergo a testosterone examination but was subject to a separate and recognized test. However, Umar Kremlev, the IBA President, stated during a press conference that her tests showed elevated levels of testosterone, contradicting the official IBA statement. The IBA’s historical credibility issues and lack of transparency regarding the eligibility tests add to suspicions that factors beyond her gender and performance influenced Imane Khelif’s disqualification.
Khelif went on to win the gold medal in the 66kg Olympic boxing event, becoming the first Algerian and African woman to do so. Following her gold medal victory, Khelif filed a legal complaint against the social media platform X for harassment.