In a shocking turn of events, a leaked medical report has raised significant questions about the gender identity of Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer who recently claimed gold in women’s boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics . The document, obtained by French journalist Djaffar Ait Aoudia, indicates that Khelif has XY chromosomes and internal testicles, suggesting a condition known as 5-alpha reductase deficiency.

Drafted in June 2023 by experts from Paris’s Kremlin-Bicêtre Hospital and Algiers’ Mohamed Lamine Debaghine Hospital, the report details Imane Khelif’s biological characteristics, including the absence of a uterus and the presence of internal testicles. An MRI further noted the existence of a micropenis. 

However, there is nothing new to this report as it was already revealed a couple of months ago that Imane Khelif has XY chromosomes because of which she was also banned by the International Boxing Association (IBA) before the World Championship Gold Medal bout in New Delhi back in 2023.  

Why did IOC allow Imane Khelif to participate in the Paris Olympics? 

As it turns out, Imane Khelif failing her gender test doesn’t justify whether she is a ‘biological male’ or not because she has a condition classified as DSD – Differences of Sex Development. Under this condition, a person’s chromosomes are affected and their testosterone levels are elevated. 

Due to Imane Khelif going through DSD, her chromosomes show that of male which is why she failed the gender tests. Khelif was born as a female and is a socially accepted female. 

IOC stripped off IBA of its recognition as a governing body due to governance and finance issues. According to IOC’s no discrimination rule that has been administered since the Tokyo Olympics, Imane Khelif is legitimately allowed to participate.