Paris Olympics | Gender Debate: Does Imane Khelif Have Male XY Chromosomes?

Imane Khelif, a 25-year-old Algerian boxer, has sparked intense debate following her recent victory over Italy’s Angela Carini at the 2024 Olympic Games.

Despite her win, her achievement has been overshadowed by rumors and speculation about her gender, stemming from a previous disqualification at the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships.

Must Read: Paris Olympics 2024: Which Medal Imane Khelif Will Atleast Take Home? Algerian Boxer Wins Bout Amid Gender Row

Khelif was disqualified from the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships, organized by the Russian-led International Boxing Association (IBA), due to unspecified gender eligibility tests.

The disqualification happened just three days after Khelif defeated Azalia Amineva, an unbeaten Russian prospect, prompting questions about the timing and motivations behind the decision. This move restored the Russian boxer’s undefeated record, sparking controversy and raising suspicions of potential bias.

Also Read: Italian Boxer Angela Carini Apologizes for Controversial Olympic Bout Against Imane Khelif

Khelif receives support from IOC and Paris Boxing Unit

In response to the escalating rumors, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its Paris Boxing Unit have confirmed that Imane Khelif is eligible to compete in the Olympic Games. They criticized the IBA’s previous disqualification as “sudden and arbitrary,” noting that it was made “without any due process.” The IOC also clarified that there is no evidence suggesting that Khelif possesses XY chromosomes or elevated testosterone levels that would disqualify her from women’s boxing events.

World Boxing Vice President’s Claims

Adding to the controversy, István Kovács, the European Vice President of the World Boxing Organization and former Secretary General of the International Boxing Association, asserted that Khelif is “biologically male.” Kovács stated,  “The problem was not with the level of Khelif’s testosterone, because that can be adjusted nowadays, but with the result of the gender test, which clearly revealed that the Algerian boxer is biologically male.”

This claim has been widely disputed and criticized for lacking substantial evidence and for disregarding the IOC’s official stance on the matter. Kovács also alleged that he had warned the IOC about males participating in women’s boxing as early as 2022 but felt that his warnings were ignored.

Gender Determination Systems

In humans, gender is typically determined by the XX and XY chromosome system. Females usually have two X chromosomes (XX), while males have one X and one Y chromosome (XY). However, exceptions exist, such as individuals with Klinefelter syndrome (XXY) or Swyer syndrome (XY females), complicating gender determination.

Despite these complexities, the IOC has verified Imane Khelif’s eligibility, with no evidence suggesting she does not meet the criteria for female competition. The IOC has emphasized that Khelif’s participation fully complies with Olympic standards, recognizing her as a female athlete.

Imane Khelif’s Father Defends Her Identity

Amid the controversy, Imane Khelif’s father, Omar Khelif, has come forward to defend his daughter’s gender identity. In an interview with Sky News, he stated, “My daughter is a woman, we have all the evidence, including her birth certificate. She was born and raised as a girl. She’s a strong girl. I raised her to be hard-working and brave. She has a strong will to work and to train.”

Omar Khelif emphasized that the allegations against his daughter were baseless and driven by her success in the ring rather than any legitimate concerns about her gender.