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 that claimed to have evidence that the Algerian fighter was ‘biologically male’. 

Khelif won gold in Paris in a dominant run to the final that came against the backdrop of a gender eligibility row. 

She had been barred from the IBA-sanctioned Women’s World Boxing Championships in 2023, though the IOC – who had suspended the IBA – had cleared the Algerian to compete. 

Controversy was further stirred after her second round opponent Angela Carini retired 46 seconds in, citing pain to her nose and reportedly insisting she ‘had never felt a punch like this’.

Khelif would go on to win the competition and earned widespread plaudits back home in Algeria, however she continued to receive abuse both online and in the media. 

The 25-year-old stormed to victory in Paris over the summer (pictured on Wednesday night at PSG’s clash with Atletico Madrid)

Earlier this month, a report in France – which is yet to be confirmed as legitimate – alleged that the 25-year-old has ‘male 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, having been cleared to compete by the IOC, the Olympics’ chief governing body, should be taken away form her.

‘We agree that the medal and all awards should be taken away and given to the best performing female athlete,’ said ICONS co-founder Kim Jones, when asked by German outlet BILD. 

Jones added: ‘Sanctions and penalties should be imposed to hold accountable those – including the heads of the IOC and the Algerian team – who put women at serious risk through deception and loss of their performances.

‘This case is a perfect example of what goes wrong when leadership is too fearful or too uninformed to do its job.’ 

The report was said to be a collaboration between French and Algerian expert endocrinologists working at the Kremlin-Bicetre hospital in Paris, and the Mohamed Lamine Debaghine hospital in Algiers. 

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

In a statement to DW, the Algerian Olympic Committee said: ‘These attacks, often based on unsubstantiated allegations, aim to tarnish the image of an athlete who has brought honor to our nation on the international stage.

Khelif won gold in the women’s welterweight division though her second round clash drew controversy

Angela Carini withdrew from the bout within 46 seconds and was left in tears following her defeat

Carini took two heavy blows and said her withdrawal was needed in order to ‘preserve my life’

‘We firmly condemn these attempts at destabilization, which have no place in the world of sports.’

The IOC said it will ‘not comment while legal action is ongoing, or on media reports about unverified documents whose origin cannot be confirmed’. It then repeated a statement issued following the controversy at the Paris Olympics.

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

‘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,’ an IOC spokesperson said.

The IOC stated that they will not comment while the current legal action is on going 

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

‘The IOC will not comment while legal action is ongoing, or on media reports about unverified documents whose origin cannot be confirmed.’

The statement pointed out Khelif had been competing in women’s boxing ‘for many years’, including at the previous Games in Tokyo as well as IBA-sanctioned events.

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

‘My child is a girl. She was raised as a girl. She’s a strong girl. I raised her to be hard-working and brave. She has a strong will to work and to train,’ he said.