Imane Khelif is not giving up on the dream of competing at Los Angeles 2028, as the IOC implement the banning of transgender athletes
Imane Khelif was at the heart of one of the most controversial spectacles in Olympic Games history in 2024.
The Algerian won welterweight gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Khelif has a naturally high level of testosterone – though takes medication to reduce it.
As far as we know, Khelif was born female, but possesses the SRY gene, something that is associated with male chromosomes.
She was engulfed in a gender row at the 2024 Paris Olympics after failing a gender eligibility test with the International Boxing Association (IBA) in 2023.
Undoubtedly, the hot topic divided opinion massively.
Ahead of the 2028 games based in Los Angeles, a plethora of tests are being brought in.
Last year, six tests have been introduced by World Boxing.
Speaking to CNN, Khelif has stated that she ‘would accept doing anything I’m required to do to participate in competitions’.
On Thursday the IOC clamped down on transgender DSD (Disorder of Sex Development) athletes by mandating sex tests for anybody wanting to compete in a female event. Athletes with DSD must prove that they do not benefit from increased testosterone levels.
In the aftermath of this announcement, team Khelif took to social media.
A video of Khelif was shared by her coach Karim Ya, with the caption:
“Every workout counts, every effort brings you closer to battle”.
With the next Olympic games over two years away, it is likely there will be a lot of left and right turns before a final decision is made around Imane Khelif competing.
One person that is vocally against Khelif competing at the games in U.S.A President Donald Trump.
Last year, Trump signed an executive order entitled ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports’.
The president referred to Khelif as a ‘male boxer’ who had ‘transitioned’ and ‘stole the women’s gold medal’ by competing in Paris.
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