Khelif had previously failed a so-called ‘gender eligibility test’ carried out by the International Boxing Association (IBA).
The IBA has not had any part in checking the eligibility of athletes for the Olympics after being stripped of its status as the sport’s world governing body by the International Olympic Committee in 2023, with the BBC writing it was over ‘governance issues and alleged corruption.’
The unspecified test carried out by the since discredited sporting body claimed that Khelif had XY chromosomes, which are typically associated with men, and had elevated levels of testosterone.
Imane Khelif. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
Khelif had previously competed in a number of boxing tournaments in the women’s category, and is doing so in the Olympics.
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Her fight against Italy’s Angela Carini yesterday ended after just 46 seconds when Carini abandoned the bout, with her saying afterwards: “I went into the ring to fight. I didn’t give up, but a punch hurt too much and so I said enough.
“I’m leaving with my head held high.”
Now, Khelif’s next opponent in the games has spoken amid an avalanche of speculation about about the boxer.
Speaking as she prepares to face Khelif in the women’s welterweight, Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori said: “I’m not scared. I don’t care about the press story and social media.
Hungary’s Anna Luca Hamori is set to take on Khelif. (MOHD RASFAN/AFP via Getty Images)
“If she or he is a man, it will be a bigger victory for me if I win.”
Algeria’s Olympic Committee has condemned the controversy surrounding the athlete, calling it a series of “malicious and unethical attacks directed against our distinguished athlete, Imane Khelif, by certain foreign media.”
Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting was also disqualified by the IBA after failing to meet criteria from an unspecified gender test.
Taiwan President Lai Ching-te has called for support for the country’s athlete, saying: “we should stand united and cheer for her.”
The IOC has released a statement on the controversy, saying: “All athletes participating in the boxing tournament of the Olympic Games Paris 2024 comply with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, as well as all applicable medical regulations set by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU) (please find all applicable rules here).
Imane Khelif and Angela Carini. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
“As with previous Olympic boxing competitions, the gender and age of the athletes are based on their passport.
“We have seen in reports misleading information about two female athletes competing at the Olympic Games Paris 2024. The two athletes have been competing in international boxing competitions for many years in the women’s category, including the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020, International Boxing Association (IBA) World Championships and IBA-sanctioned tournaments.
“These two athletes were the victims of a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA. Towards the end of the IBA World Championships in 2023, they were suddenly disqualified without any due process.”
