Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who won gold in women’s boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, may be barred from future competition after leaked medical tests reportedly reveal Khelif has a male karyotype. The reports state Khelif’s chromosome analysis shows XY chromosomes—biologically male—raising questions about eligibility under the new gender testing rules set for the 2027 Olympics.
Khelif’s participation in the Paris Games was already controversial. The International Boxing Association (IBA) had previously banned Khelif in 2022 and 2023 over gender test concerns, but the International Olympic Committee (IOC) overruled the ban and allowed Khelif to compete as a woman. Now, the World Boxing Association’s introduction of stricter gender testing could disqualify Khelif.
The leaked reports, allegedly from Dr. Lal PathLabs, say Khelif’s tests show no chromosomal anomalies but confirm an XY karyotype and male-range testosterone levels. Further details reveal internal testes, a micropenis, no uterus, and no breast tissue—traits consistent with male biology.
Algerian officials continue to insist Khelif qualifies as a woman for “medical reasons” and claim conditions like Swyer syndrome or Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome could explain Khelif’s physical development. However, some experts believe Khelif may have a 5-alpha reductase deficiency, a rare condition found in males that can result in ambiguous genitalia at birth but male traits developing at puberty.
Khelif remains defiant, insisting, “I have identified as female since birth” and dismissing concerns over eligibility. Still, the leaked reports are likely to reignite the debate over fairness in women’s sports and whether athletes with male biology should compete against female athletes.
The 2027 Olympics could be a decisive moment as new gender rules come into force, potentially reshaping the landscape of international women’s sports.
