Algerian Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif has declared her conditional acceptance of genetic testing requirements for athletic participation, stipulating that such examinations must be administered directly by the International Olympic Committee. The welterweight champion’s statement comes amid ongoing controversy regarding her eligibility for women’s boxing competitions.
The athlete’s stance follows her triumphant performance at the 2024 Paris Games, where she secured gold despite prior disqualification from the 2023 World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA). The IBA’s exclusion was based on sex chromosome testing results that questioned her eligibility for women’s competition.
With World Boxing—the newly provisionally recognized governing body for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics—implementing mandatory sex verification testing for all competitors, Khelif has pursued legal recourse through the Court of Arbitration for Sport. She challenges the organization’s requirement for genetic testing as a condition for participation.
In an interview with CNN, Khelif emphasized her willingness to comply with legitimate competitive requirements while maintaining her biological identity as female. “Of course, I would accept doing anything I’m required to do to participate in competitions,” she stated, adding that protective measures for female athletes should not come at the expense of harming other women.
The 26-year-old boxer explicitly denied being transgender and expressed frustration about becoming embroiled in political agendas. “I’m a woman. I want to live my life. Please do not exploit me in your political agendas,” she asserted.
Khelif remains optimistic about receiving favorable judgment from the Court of Arbitration for Sport, declaring: “I will not surrender until I have justice because I know justice is on my side above all else.”