Paris – Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, gold medalist in the 66-kilo category at the Paris Olympics, has publicly addressed the controversies surrounding her gender and her participation in the sport.
Statements about their gender and hormone treatments
Khelif, who has been questioned about their gender identity, stated that they have undergone hormone treatments to reduce their testosterone levels. Furthermore, they expressed their willingness to undergo any necessary tests for the Los Angeles 2028 Games.The 26-year-old boxer, who resides and trains in Paris, assured she was not “afraid” of medical tests and revealed that she has already contacted World Boxing (WB), sending her medical record and hormonal tests, without receiving a response so far. Khelif insists that he is not “hiding anything” nor refusing to take the tests, and questions the importance given to his case. The athlete specified that, although she has a female phenotype, she has the SRY gene, an indicator of masculinity, “naturally”. Khelif explained that she lowered her testosterone levels to compete in the qualifying tournament for the Paris Games, where she won the gold medal. This hormonal treatment, which emotionally “destabilizes” her, does not significantly affect her performance in boxing, since for her, “boxing is never about strength or power. Boxing is mental. It’s about tactics, technique, movement. Intelligence”.We all have different genetics, different hormone levels. I am not transgender. My difference is natural. I am who I am. I haven’t done anything to change the way nature made me.
Imane Khelif
Reactions and future plans
Khelif’s Olympic gold medal generated controversy, with figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk insinuating that she was a transgender athlete. Khelif reflected on the impact of the situation on her personal life.Khelif has expressed his desire to compete in the Los Angeles 2028 Games, pending the IOC’s decision on “gender equality, diversity and inclusion”, which is expected in March. In response to the criticism, Khelif stated: “I respect everyone, and I respect Trump. But he cannot distort the truth. I am not trans, I am a girl. I was raised as a girl, I grew up as a girl, the people in my town have always known me as a girl. I respect it if he respects the truth.” Faced with the question of what she would say to Trump, she replied: “Mr. President, I am a girl, a young Arab and Muslim boxer. And I am working for you to come and give me a medal on the podium in Los Angeles.” The French Boxing Federation has granted him a professional license, but Khelif is clear that his main goal remains the Olympic Games. Khelif concluded: “Not at all. I want to box for Algeria in the Los Angeles Games and become the first person in Algerian sport to revalidate their Olympic title.”What happened to me was too much for me. What hurt me the most was that I have a family (…) This controversy had a big impact on my life. I don’t look at social media; I realized that it was a space where people could attack you without knowing you and that is dangerous.
Imane Khelif
