Imane Khelif's Gender.

[nelson]

Controversy over Gold Medal: Algerian Boxer's Biological Sex Calls into Question

A recently leaked medical report has called into question the gold medalist in the women's boxing category at the Paris Olympics: Algerian boxer Imane Khelif. The report cited that Khelif has XY chromosomes, leading to a diagnosis confirming she is biologically male.

The report was obtained by French journalist Djaffar Ait Aoudia and prepared by medical experts at Paris's Kremlin-Bicêtre Hospital and Algeria's Mohamed Lamine Debaghine Hospital in June 2023. It describes Khelif as suffering from 5-alpha reductase deficiency, an extremely rare genetic condition affecting biological males' sexual development. The report also establishes that Khelif has no uterus, has internal testicles, and an MRI identified a "micropenis."

This chromosomal anomaly was earlier confirmed by Khelif's coach, Georges Cazorla, as was initially documented by the IBA back in March of this year. Khelif was, therefore, no longer allowed to compete with women, but using the IOC standard that requires a female sex marker on legal documents allowed her participation.

The move has attracted scathing criticism, led by Marshi Smith, co-founder of ICONS-Independent Council on Women's Sports. Smith is incensed at the IOC and the Algerian Olympic Committee for allowing male violence against women to be condoned and is calling for serious sanctions against the perpetrators.

Alan Abrahamson, the member of the IOC press committee, verified Khelif's chromosomal status, citing tests from 2022 and 2023 showing XY chromosomes. Smith and others are calling for Khelif to be stripped of her medal-an attack on the IOC's current policy. A wider controversy has flared over fairness and standards in women's sports.

Edited November 4 by nelson