Imane Khelif, the Algerian boxer who won Olympic gold amid a controversy over her gender eligibility, is pursuing legal action following media reports about leaked medical records, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced on Wednesday. Reports published in France this week claimed that Khelif, 25, has XY chromosomes, which are typically associated with male gender. The gender dispute erupted during the Paris Games in August when Khelif defeated Angela Carini in just 46 seconds in her opening match, causing Carini to tear up and abandon the fight after sustaining a serious nose injury. The incident sparked a wider controversy, with politicians and public figures, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and “Harry Potter” author JK Rowling, commenting on the matter.
“We understand that Imane Khelif has taken legal action against individuals who commented on her situation during the Olympic Games Paris 2024, and is also preparing a lawsuit in response to the latest reporting,” the IOC stated. “The IOC will not comment while legal action is ongoing, or on media reports about unverified documents whose origin cannot be confirmed.”
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The IOC further clarified that Khelif has “competed in the women’s category in international competition ‘for many years’,” including at the Tokyo 2021 Olympics and at the International Boxing Association (IBA) world championships and other IBA-sanctioned events.
The IOC also expressed concern, stating that it was “saddened by the abuse that Imane Khelif is currently receiving.”
Khelif, who received a hero’s welcome upon her return to Algeria after her Olympic victory, has already filed a complaint in France for online harassment.
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