Imane Khelif responds to the leaked medical report alleging she is a “biological male,” vowing legal action and reflecting on the challenges of gender-related controversies in her career.
New Delhi: Olympic Champion Imane Khelif breaks silence on unconfirmed medical report released ahead of US election
In a recent interview, Imane Khelif announced plans to sue a French journalist for publishing an unverified report alleging that “she is a biological male.”
This summer, Imane Khelif won gold in the women’s welterweight competition in Paris, but her participation sparked controversy, drawing criticism from high-profile figures, including President-elect Donald Trump and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who questioned her gender.
The International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified Imane Khelif from the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships after she did not meet gender eligibility requirements.
Amidst the controversy, Imane Khelif and her family firmly asserted her identity as a woman. Her father even shared her birth certificate, confirming she was recorded as female at birth.
Earlier this month, the French magazine Le Correspondant reported that Algerian boxer Imane Khelif allegedly has XY chromosomes and “male characteristics.” However, the authenticity of the article on the 25-year-old has yet to be verified.
Appearing on Massimo Giletti’s Lo Stato delle Cose on Italian television, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif remarked, “I wasn’t aware of President Meloni’s statements, but I’ve noticed that many politicians and presidents speak without any real source.”
Khelif’s mention of Italian President Giorgia Meloni ties into the broader controversies surrounding her participation in Paris, where her gender became a topic of public and political debate.
“We will meet with the French journalist in court,” she continued.
She mentioned that her parents have seen several phony images of her, stressing that “the war against me through social media has had a negative impact.”
Khelif’s mention of Italian President Giorgia Meloni ties into the broader controversies surrounding her participation in Paris, where her gender became a topic of public and political debate.
“Any person who is exposed to this bullying and hatred, finds it more difficult to win. But I have learned a lot from this experience. The more a person desires success, the easier it is to achieve it,” she concluded.