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Journalism of Courage
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who was the talk of the Paris Olympics after she won gold in women’s boxing, has come under scrutiny once more after a leak of a medical report questioning her eligibility for female competition.
The report which was accessed by French journalist Djaffar Ait Aoudia, indicated that Khelif has a condition that impacts sexual development, often resulting in ambiguous genitalia and limiting secondary male characteristics.
It said she had internal testicles and an XY chromosome makeup, which may signal a genetic condition known as 5-alpha reductase deficiency.
The report, prepared collaboratively by medical professionals from Kremlin-Bicêtre Hospital in Paris and Mohamed Lamine Debaghine Hospital in Algiers in June 2023, detailed Khelif’s anatomy, including the absence of a uterus and the presence of what was described as a micropenis. It also recommended surgical correction and hormone therapy, aimed at aligning Khelif’s physical traits with her self-perceived gender identity.
The Algerian has perenially been in the spotlight for her participation in female sports. In 2023, the International Boxing Association (IBA) barred her from competing in the World Championship gold medal match in New Delhi. That decision stirred up significant controversy, especially among those who advocate for strict gender classifications in sports.
It was magnified at the Paris Olympics with notable public figures, including Piers Morgan, commenting on the matter, calling for a review of Khelif’s eligibility. Former US President Donald Trump highlighted the case in discussions surrounding gender-based sports policies.
Responding to earlier controversies, Khelif had defended her position, asserting her identity as a woman: “I was born as a woman, I live as a woman, and I am qualified.”
