Olympic Champion Imane Khelif Addresses Gender Controversy and Trump's Claims
Algerian boxing star Imane Khelif has publicly declared her willingness to undergo a sex test to secure eligibility for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This statement comes as a direct response to allegations made by former United States President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly labeled her a male boxer and accused her of stealing a women's gold medal.
Global Spotlight and Ongoing Controversy
The 26-year-old athlete gained international recognition after winning gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. However, her victory was overshadowed by significant controversy. Claims emerged that Khelif had allegedly failed a gender eligibility test in 2023, casting doubt on her participation. This led to heightened scrutiny and debate within the sports community.
World Boxing's Policy and Legal Battle
In 2025, the governing body World Boxing announced a new policy requiring mandatory sex screening for all fighters in its events. The organization specifically mentioned Khelif in its initial announcement, a move for which it later issued an apology. Since the implementation of these tests, Khelif has not competed in any World Boxing events.
Instead, she has taken her case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, seeking to compete without undergoing the mandated testing. A hearing for this legal challenge has yet to be scheduled, but Khelif remains steadfast in her pursuit of justice.
Khelif's Firm Stance and Conditional Acceptance
While Khelif asserts she will not surrender in her legal fight against World Boxing, she has expressed conditional acceptance of testing for Olympic participation. In an interview with CNN, she stated, Of course, I would accept doing anything I'm required to do to participate in competitions.
She further emphasized the need for balance in sports policies, saying, They should protect women, but they need to pay attention that while protecting women, they shouldn't hurt other women. This highlights her concern that well-intentioned regulations might inadvertently discriminate against athletes like herself.
Political Involvement and Biological Clarifications
The controversy escalated with the involvement of former President Donald Trump. In 2025, he signed an executive order titled Keeping Men Out of Women's Sports and publicly referred to Khelif as a male boxer who had transitioned and stole the women's gold medal in Paris. Trump reiterated these claims in a speech to Republican lawmakers in January 2026.
Contrary to Trump's assertions, Khelif is not transgender. Medical reports indicate she was born female but is believed to possess the SRY gene, which is typically associated with male sex chromosomes. This genetic variation has fueled the ongoing debate about fairness and eligibility in women's sports.
As the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics approach, the situation remains unresolved. Khelif's case continues to spark discussions on gender, genetics, and equity in athletics, with potential implications for future sporting regulations worldwide.
