Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer who sparked significant controversy during the recent Paris Olympics, plans to participate in the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Games. This decision comes amid escalating U.S. policies on transgender athletes, led by President Donald Trump.
Khelif secured a gold medal in Paris, despite her prior disqualification from the 2023 IBA World Championships over gender eligibility concerns. The IBA claimed that certain athletes attempted to deceive by presenting as women, citing the presence of XY chromosomes.
Although Khelif was not found to be transgender, the Algerian Olympic Committee cited “medical reasons” for her exclusion, with local media reporting elevated testosterone levels. Khelif herself claimed to be the victim of a “conspiracy.”
Her participation in Paris drew criticism from figures like Trump, Elon Musk, and J.K. Rowling. In response, Khelif filed a cyberbullying lawsuit in France against these individuals.
In an exclusive interview with ITV, Khelif addressed Trump’s policies, stating: “I am not transgender. This does not concern me, and it does not intimidate me.” She added that she considers herself a woman, has lived her entire life as a woman, and has nothing to hide.
The future of the IOC’s policies on gender eligibility remains uncertain, especially with the impending end of Thomas Bach’s presidency and potential successors like Sebastian Coe, who emphasizes the importance of protecting female athletes.