Olympic Boxer Imane Khelif Faces Gender Eligibility Controversy, Plans 2028 Return

Imane Khelif, the Algerian Olympic boxing champion, has recently revealed a striking feminine makeover amid ongoing controversy regarding her gender eligibility in women's boxing. After winning gold at Paris 2024, Khelif faced disqualification from the 2023 World Championships due to gender eligibility tests but was later cleared to compete by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which upheld her Olympic victory despite leaked medical documents alleging she possesses XY chromosomes. The new governing body, World Boxing, has since introduced mandatory genetic sex testing for athletes over 18, resulting in Khelif being sidelined from competition and skipping the Eindhoven Box Cup. Marking the one-year anniversary of her Olympic triumph, Khelif shared a reflective message on Instagram describing her current difficult phase but reaffirming her resilience and determination to return to the sport. IOC President Kirsty Coventry has confirmed no retrospective action will be taken against Khelif's gold medal, while a working group is being formed to protect women’s sports under new eligibility guidelines. The controversy continues to spark debate on fairness in women’s sports, with Khelif’s personal and professional future remaining uncertain amid these challenges.