The Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, gold medalist in the 66-kilo category at the Paris Olympics, has stated that she has undergone hormonal treatments to reduce her testosterone levels and will undergo the necessary tests to compete in the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Athlete’s Statements
Khelif, 26, a resident of Paris, stated that she was not “afraid” of the medical tests and revealed that she had already contacted World Boxing (WB), an entity that requires sex verification tests to participate in its competitions. “I contacted World Boxing, I sent them my medical record, my hormone tests, everything. But I haven’t received any response,” lamented the boxer. The athlete insisted that she is not “hiding anything” and that she is not refusing to take the tests. She explained that, although she has a female phenotype, she possesses the SRY gene, an indicator of masculinity, “naturally”. Khelif revealed that he has already reduced his testosterone levels to compete, reaching zero nanomoles per liter of blood, and that this hormonal treatment, which “destabilizes” him emotionally, does not significantly affect his performance in boxing, since “boxing is never about strength or power. Boxing is mental. It’s about tactics, technique, movement. Intelligence”. Khelif’s Olympic gold medal generated controversy, with figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk insinuating that she was a transgender athlete. Khelif commented that this situation had a great impact on her life and that she decided to distance herself from social media.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
Khelif plans to compete in the Los Angeles 2028 Games, but is awaiting the IOC’s decision, which has appointed a commission to address “gender equality, diversity and inclusion”. In response to the criticism, Khelif stated: “I respect everyone, and I respect Trump. Because he is the President of the United States. 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 him if he respects the truth.” The boxer, when asked what she would say to Trump, replied: “Mr. President, I am a girl, a young Arab and Muslim, a boxer. And I am working for you to come and give me a medal on the podium in Los Angeles.”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
Despite having received a professional boxing license from the French Boxing Federation, Khelif is clear that his goal remains to compete in the 2028 Games. “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,” he concluded.
