Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who won gold in the women’s welterweight division at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, has said she would be willing to undergo a sex test if it allowed her to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Speaking to CNN on Wednesday, the 26-year-old said she would comply with any testing requirements set by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), stressing that she has always competed in women’s categories and has nothing to conceal.
“Of course, I would accept doing anything I’m required to do to participate in competitions,” Khelif said. “They should protect women, but they need to pay attention that while protecting women, they shouldn’t hurt other women.”
Khelif has faced intense scrutiny over her gender eligibility since her Olympic triumph. In 2023, she and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting were disqualified from the World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) for allegedly failing gender eligibility tests. The IOC later stripped the IBA of its recognition in June 2023, allowing Khelif to compete in Paris, where she went on to claim gold.
Following her Olympic victory, Khelif became the target of widespread misinformation and political attacks, with claims that she was male or transgender — allegations for which no evidence has been presented. She has repeatedly denied these claims.
“I’m not transgender. I’m a woman. I want to live my life,” she told CNN. “Please do not exploit me in your political agendas.”
Former US President Donald Trump publicly referred to Khelif as a “male boxer” while signing an executive order aimed at preventing transgender women from competing in female sports categories, further fuelling controversy around her case.
In February 2025, a newly formed governing body, World Boxing, received provisional recognition from the IOC and later introduced mandatory genetic tests to determine an athlete’s sex at birth. When announcing the policy, World Boxing cited Khelif by name, before later issuing an apology.
Khelif has since appealed the introduction of mandatory testing to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). A hearing on the case remains pending.
“I was born like this,” Khelif said. “Of course, I have hormonal differences, but I manage my testosterone levels based on my doctor’s recommendations. Boxing does not rely on testosterone. It relies on intelligence, experience and discipline.”
While she continues her legal challenge against World Boxing’s policy, Khelif says she remains focused on defending her Olympic title — provided she is allowed to compete.
“I have nothing to hide,” she said.
Source: BBC, Hindustan Times
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