Imane Khelif’s Olympic gold medal ‘should be taken away’, women’s rights group claims in scathing attack on Algerian boxer

A women’s rights group has demanded that Imane Khelif’s Olympic gold medal be ‘taken away’ following the emergence of an alleged report claiming evidence the Algerian fighter was ‘biologically male’.

Khelif won gold in Paris in a dominant run to the final, which came against the backdrop of a row over gender suitability.

She was excluded from the IBA-sanctioned Women’s Boxing World Championships in 2023, although the IOC – which had suspended the IBA – allowed the Algerian to participate.

The controversy was further fueled after her opponent Angela Carini retired 46 seconds into the second round, citing pain in her nose and reportedly insisting she had “never felt such a blow before.”

Khelif would go on to win the competition and receive high praise back home in Algeria, but she continued to be abused both online and in the media.

The 25-year-old stormed to victory in Paris last summer (pictured during PSG’s clash with Atletico Madrid on Wednesday evening)

Earlier this month, a report in France – which has yet to be confirmed as legitimate – claimed that the 25-year-old has ‘masculine characteristics’ and XY chromosomes.

Now the co-founder of the Independent Council on Women’s Sport (ICONS) has claimed that Khelif’s medal which she won after being cleared to compete by the IOC, the main governing body of the Olympic Games, should be hers. are taken away.

“We agree that the medal and all prizes should be taken away and given to the best performing female athlete,” said ICONS co-founder Kim Jones, asked by Germany’s BILD.

Jones added: “Sanctions and punishments must be imposed to hold to account those – including the heads of the IOC and the Algerian team – who are putting women at serious risk through deception and loss of performance.

“This case is a perfect example of what goes wrong when leadership is too afraid or uninformed to do its job.”

The report is said to be a collaboration between French and Algerian expert endocrinologists working at the Kremlin-Bicêtre Hospital in Paris and the Mohamed Lamine Debaghine Hospital in Algiers.

But Jacques Young, an endocrinologist at Bicêtre Hospital in Paris who reportedly co-authored the document, told DW in Germany that he believes his name is being used to spread false information.

In a statement to DWThe Algerian Olympic Committee said: “These attacks, often based on unfounded accusations, aim to tarnish the image of an athlete who brought honor to our nation on the international stage.

Khelif won gold in the women’s welterweight division, although her second-round match sparked controversy

Angela Carini withdrew from the fight within 46 seconds and was left in tears after her defeat

Carini suffered two heavy blows and said her withdrawal was necessary to ‘save my life’

“We strongly condemn these attempts at destabilization, which have no place in the sports world.”

The IOC said it “will not comment while legal action is ongoing, or on media reports of unverified documents whose provenance cannot be confirmed.” It then reiterated a statement issued following the Paris Olympics controversy.

Khelif has filed a legal complaint with French authorities over the online abuse and harassment she was subjected to during the Games. The IOC said it is now also taking action following new reports that emerged in France earlier this week.

“We understand that Imane Khelif has taken legal action against individuals who commented on her situation during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and is also preparing a lawsuit following the latest reporting,” an IOC spokesperson said. .

The IOC stated that they will not comment while the current legal proceedings are ongoing

Jacques Young, who is said to have co-authored the leaked report, has broken his silence

“The IOC will not comment pending legal action, or on media reports of unverified documents whose provenance cannot be confirmed.”

The statement noted that Khelif had been active in women’s boxing for “many years”, including at the previous Tokyo Games and at IBA-sanctioned events.

Amid the backlash Khelif received during the Games, her father made an emotional statement to Sky Sports.

‘My child is a girl. She was raised as a girl. She is a strong girl. I raised her to be hardworking and courageous. She has a strong will to work and train,” he said.