Algerian Olympic Gold Medalist Imane Khelif Opens Up on Hormone Treatment and Gender Eligibility
In a revealing interview with French sports daily L'Equipe, Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who clinched gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has disclosed that she underwent hormone treatments to suppress her testosterone levels prior to the Games. This admission comes amidst ongoing gender eligibility controversies that have shadowed her career, particularly involving claims about her participation in the women's category.
Khelif's Hormone Treatment and Genetic Background
Imane Khelif confirmed that she has female hormones but took specific measures to lower her testosterone for competitions. "I have female hormones. And people don't know this, but I have taken hormone treatments to lower my testosterone levels for competitions," she stated. Additionally, Khelif acknowledged possessing the SRY gene, which is typically found on the Y chromosome and associated with masculinity, emphasizing that this is a natural genetic variation. "Yes, and it's natural," she said, noting that she is under medical supervision, including monitoring by a professor.
For the Paris Games qualifying tournament in Dakar, Khelif revealed she reduced her testosterone levels to zero, a step she described as part of her preparation. She firmly asserted that she is not transgender, attributing her differences to natural genetics. "We all have different genetics, different hormone levels. I'm not transgender. My difference is natural. This is who I am. I haven't done anything to change the way nature made me," Khelif explained, expressing no fear over the scrutiny.
Gender Controversy and Future Olympic Aspirations
The boxer has been at the center of a gender controversy alongside Chinese Taipei athlete Lin Yu-ting, with allegations that both were ineligible for the women's category. Despite this, Khelif is determined to compete in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, aiming to become the first Algerian athlete to successfully defend an Olympic title. However, she faces new challenges with mandatory gender testing imposed by World Boxing, the International Olympic Committee-recognized body for the sport.
Khelif has not fought since the Paris Olympics after World Boxing prevented her participation due to her not taking the newly introduced chromosome test. She clarified that she is willing to comply with testing requirements, having already submitted her medical records and hormone tests to World Boxing, though she has received no response. "For the next Games, if I have to take a test, I will. I have no problem with that. I've already taken this test. I contacted World Boxing, I sent them my medical records, my hormone tests, everything. But I haven't had any response. I'm not hiding, I'm not refusing the tests," she affirmed.
Looking ahead, Khelif views the testing as a logical step and remains committed to her Olympic goals. "Not at all. I want to... become the first person in Algerian sport to successfully defend their Olympic title," she declared, underscoring her resilience and dedication to the sport amidst ongoing debates over eligibility and fairness in women's boxing.
