Imane Khelif addresses new rules and eligibility criteria and says she will undergo IOC testing to compete at the 2028 Olympics

Imane Khelif knows how to take challenges. However, she wasn’t prepared for becoming a political target. The Algerian boxer has been subjected to an ongoing campaign of harassment and intense inspection since her Olympic gold win at the 2024 Paris Games, fueled by some of the most influential people in the world. Among them is US President Donald Trump, who has frequently referenced her victory to defend his restrictions on specific athletes, including during one of his first acts in office, when he signed the executive order “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.”

Nearly 12 months on, his smear campaign continues. Trump once again mistakenly referred to Khelif as a “male boxer” in a January speech to Republican lawmakers, seemingly reinforcing his backing for the Supreme Court's expected ruling to uphold state-level bans on transgender athletes in girls’ and women’s sports. In the midst of the controversy, Khelif has mostly been silent on the topic, as she puts it in her words, “protect” her peace. However, she has a message for the politicians invoking her name: Leave me out of it.

Imane Khelif on new rules and eligibility criteria

She stated in her recent interview with CNN, she said, “I’m not transgender. I’m a woman. I want to live my life… Please do not exploit me in your political agendas.”

In the Paris gym, where she trains, Khelif is simply recognized as an Olympic champion. The 26-year-old champion’s journey from her humble roots in Algeria has been characterized by the courage to defy cultural expectations, including that a girl should not fight.

While addressing the interview with CNN in Paris, Khelif said she has nothing to hide, expressing that she would accept genetic testing requirements, but only if conducted by the IOC.

“Of course, I would accept doing anything I’m required to do to participate in competitions,” she said, underlining that she respects the IOC and its authority.

“They should protect women, but they need to pay attention that while protecting women, they shouldn’t hurt other women,” she added.

World Boxing apologizes to Imane Khelif

After an online report claimed that Khelif had XY chromosomes, Khelif told CNN the report was inaccurate and “modified.” Announcing the new rules in May, World Boxing specifically targeted Khelif by name, saying that she would not be able to participate in the female category at any World Boxing tournament until she underwent so-called sex testing. She said at that moment, “When they published my name, they caused another crisis for me. They caused more discourse and another campaign against me.”

Khelif withdrew from the World Championships amidst the controversy. She has not participated in any competitions since then. Although World Boxing later apologized for naming her in its announcement, Khelif said the harm was already done.

“I will not surrender until I have justice because I know justice is on my side above all else.” Since then, she has brought her case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, an independent organization that resolves legal disputes.




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