In a surprising turn of events, the gender identification of Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer who won gold in women’s boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has come under scrutiny due to a leaked medical report.
According to the medical report, which French journalist secured by Djaffar Ait Aoudia, Khelif has internal testicles and XY chromosomes, hinting at a disorder called 5-alpha reductase insufficiency.
The report was said to be drafted by experts from the Kremlin-Bicetre Hospital in Paris and the Mohamed Lamine Debaghine Hospital in Algiers in June 2023.
In the detailed report, Khelif’s biological traits, such as the existence of internal testicles and the lack of a uterus have been thoroughly described. Even an MRI report suggested the presence of a micropenis, as reported by Redux.
Notably, Khelif has been in the spotlight for his participation in female sports. In 2023, Khelif was banned by the International Boxing Association (IBA) from participating in the World Championship Gold Medal fight in New Delhi.
It was magnified at the Paris Olympics with notable public figures, including Piers Morgan, commenting on the matter, calling for a review of Khelif’s eligibility. Former US President Donald Trump highlighted the case in discussions surrounding gender-based sports policies.
What Imane’s leaked medical report stated
An MRI result attached with the report, which was a copy of a thorough physical examination that was conducted on Khelif in order to verify the presence of a disorder of sexual development, also reportedly determined that Khelif had no uterus, but instead had internal testicles and a “micropenis” resembling an enlarged clitoris.
As per Aoudia, after the MRI test, Khelif had also underwent a chromosomal test, which further confirmed that the Algerian has an XY karyotype. A hormone test was also conducted which found that Khelif had a testosterone level typical of males.
After examination, doctors had suggested that Khelif’s parents may have been blood relatives, claimed Aoudia. The report had also recommended that the boxer be referred for “surgical correction and hormone therapy” along with psychological support.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has also now reacted to the latest development, asking the Olympics organisers to take back the gold medal.
“Take the Gold back @Olympics This isn’t fair,” Harbhajan Singh wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
Take the Gold back @Olympics This isn’t fair https://t.co/ZO3yJmqdpY
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) November 5, 2024
The Khelif case has reignited global discussions on gender, fairness, and eligibility in sports.
