Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting were at the center of a “gender eligibility” controversy during the Olympics, after both were allowed to compete despite failing gender eligibility tests at last year’s world championships.
While Khelif was banned from the IBA-sanctioned Women’s World Boxing Championships in 2023, the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which had suspended the IBA, cleared her to compete.
Earlier this month, a report emerged in France, which has yet to be confirmed, alleging that the 25-year-old has “male characteristics” and XY chromosomes.
In response, Kim Jones, co-founder of the Independent Council on Women’s Sport (ICONS), suggested that Khelif’s medal, awarded after being cleared by the IOC, should be taken away.
“We agree that the medal and all awards should be revoked and given to the best-performing female athlete,” said Jones, speaking to German outlet BILD. “Sanctions and penalties should be imposed to hold accountable those who put women at serious risk through deception and the undermining of their performances.”
The report was allegedly a collaboration between French and Algerian endocrinologists at the Kremlin-Bicetre Hospital in Paris and the Mohamed Lamine Debaghine Hospital in Algiers.
However, Jacques Young, an endocrinologist reportedly involved in the document, has denied the claims, stating that his name was used to spread false information.
In response to the allegations, the Algerian Olympic Committee stated, “These attacks, often based on unfounded claims, aim to tarnish the reputation of an athlete who has brought honor to our nation internationally. We firmly condemn these destabilizing efforts that have no place in sports.”
The IOC has refrained from commenting on the issue while legal actions are underway, and has not addressed media reports on unverified documents.
