ISLAMABAD (PEN) : A leaked medical report has reignited global controversy around Algerian Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif, challenging her eligibility to compete in women’s boxing after allegations surfaced regarding her biological sex.
The document, reportedly from India’s Dr Lal PathLabs and dated March 2023, claims Khelif carries the SRY gene — a genetic marker typically associated with male chromosomes. The report was published by veteran sports journalist Alan Abrahamson via 3 Wire Sports and has since drawn widespread attention across the sports world.
New Genetic Policy Triggers Suspension
World Boxing has since invoked its newly introduced “Sex, Age and Weight” eligibility policy, effective from May 2025. The framework mandates genetic testing — including PCR-based screening for the SRY gene — for athletes aged 18 and above in sanctioned competitions.
Until Khelif undergoes testing in accordance with these requirements, she has been suspended from participating in all sanctioned events, including the forthcoming Eindhoven Box Cup.
“These new eligibility rules were developed with the express purpose of safeguarding athletes in combat sports,” World Boxing stated in a press release.
The decision underscores mounting concerns over fairness and safety in gender-divided contact sports. World Boxing’s executive board fast-tracked the policy’s adoption amid growing pressure to address the complexities of gender identity and biological sex in competitive boxing.
Athlete Denies Allegations, Algeria Pushes Back
Khelif, 25, has firmly rejected the claims, maintaining she meets all eligibility criteria. Following her historic gold-medal win at the 2024 Paris Olympics — making her the first Algerian woman to do so in boxing — she became a national icon.
This isn’t the first time Khelif has faced scrutiny. In 2023, she was barred from a major event by the now-defunct International Boxing Association (IBA) over similar concerns. That decision was later contested by some international officials, including then-IOC President Thomas Bach, who questioned the scientific integrity of the gender testing process.
The Algerian Olympic Committee has condemned the leaked report and suspension, calling the allegations “unsubstantiated” and “politically motivated.”
“These attacks aim to discredit an athlete who brought honour to our nation,” the committee stated.
A Broader Debate in Women’s Sports
The controversy adds to an ongoing global debate over gender eligibility in elite women’s sports — particularly in disciplines like boxing, where weight, strength, and safety are closely regulated.
Khelif remains committed to defending her title at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, according to recent statements, and continues to make public appearances in support of women’s sports in North Africa.
With sports federations, rights groups, and medical experts weighing in, the case could set a precedent for how gender verification policies evolve in high-stakes international competition.
