Imane Khelif is again seizing headlines for the same reason—controversy over her gender. After months of heated debate, the Algerian boxer’s leaked medical report has come to light, alleging that she has the XY chromosome. Her gender sparked controversy at the Olympics, raising questions about her participation. However, she went the distance and clinched the gold, and now there are demands to return it.
According to reduxx.info, endocrinologists Soumaya Fedala and Jacques Young prepared a report on Khelif, 25, last year. The report specifies that she has a 5-alpha reductase deficiency, which is a sexual development disorder found in assigned males at birth. French journalist Djaffar Ait Aoudia then received a copy of the same. A further chromosomal test also suggested that Khelif has an XY karyotype.
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As the news broke out, Piers Morgan turned to his X handle and campaigned to strip the Tiaret native of her Olympic gold. He wrote, “Confirmation of what some of us said at the time: Khelif is a biological man. The gold medal should now be stripped and awarded to the best actual woman.”
Enzo Maccarinelli blasted the fans who didn’t believe him. The former world champion’s post read, “Well well can u believe it the man who looks like a man and fights like a man is actually a man the amount of do gooding d-ckheads who lambasted me and others who tried defending women’s rights to compete in a fair sport was insane.”
These leaked medical reports have taken the boxing world by storm, and this might affect Khelif’s decision to turn pro. While she had recently expressed her desire to venture into professional boxing, she could expect increased protest over the move. The boxing world is also split, as the likes of Rick Glaser have retracted their support of the female boxer.
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Boxing insider distances himself from Imane Khelif
When tagged by a fan, Glaser expressed his opinion of the recently released reports surrounding Khelif. He responded, “Please don’t include my name in anything involving Khelif. She’s all Eddie Hearn’s.” Eddie Hearn had specified his interest in bringing her to Matchroom Boxing when she turned pro. However, the British boxer might rethink the decision given the leaked medical reports.
via Reuters Paris 2024 Olympics – Boxing – Women’s 66kg – Prelims – Round of 16 – North Paris Arena, Villepinte, France – August 01, 2024. Imane Khelif of Algeria is seen after her fight against Angela Carini of Italy. REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
The controversy surrounding Khelif started in the first match of the Olympics against Angela Carini, who quit the match within the first minute. Soon, her disqualification from last year’s World Championship over the failed gender tests made the news. Now another medical report has come out with similar claims about her.
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What do you make of these reports relating to Imane Khelif? Let us know in the comments below.