In the wake of growing scrutiny around trans participation in sports, Olympic boxing has found itself at the heart of another storm.
This time, the focus is on Algerian gold medalist Imane Khelif, whose eligibility for women’s boxing is being called into question after a leaked medical document claimed she is biologically male.
Leaked Report Reignites Gender Eligibility Controversy
The whole saga erupted again when a leaked medical report—supposedly conducted during the 2023 World Championships—surfaced online.
The report allegedly shows a chromosome analysis revealing that Khelif has a male karyotype, which would indicate she is biologically male.
This leak landed just two days after World Boxing introduced new rules requiring athletes to undergo sex screening to compete in female categories moving forward.
J.K. Rowling and Piers Morgan Weigh In
As expected, public figures like J.K. Rowling quickly took to social media.
Rowling, who has consistently voiced strong opinions on women’s sports, declared the alleged findings “a win for women.”
“It’s a win for women because they won’t be battered to death in the ring by men,” she posted, arguing that gender verification via a cheek swab is no big deal compared to the physical toll women face.
Piers Morgan chimed in too, posting, “The biology-denying woke brigade abused and shamed me for saying it was outrageous and dangerous for Khelif to be beating up women at the Olympics.
I’m ready for their apology, but won’t hold my breath.”
Former Athletes and Activists Add Fuel to the Fire
Former British Olympian Sharron Davies, a vocal advocate for sex-based categories in sport, didn’t mince words either.
“When did we stop believing in our eyes and gut?” she asked.
Meanwhile, conservative activist Riley Gaines was even more blunt, saying: “You were wrong.
We were right,” while referring to Khelif with male pronouns.
Khelif’s Gold Medal Now Under Threat
Khelif, now 26, won the women’s boxing gold for Algeria at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
But these new revelations are putting that achievement under the microscope.
World Boxing, the current provisional overseer of Olympic boxing, had known about the 2023 test for over a year but allowed Khelif to compete anyway.
Even IOC President Thomas Bach questioned the credibility of that original test at the time.
Where Did the Report Come From?
The document was reportedly issued by Dr Lal PathLabs in New Delhi, a lab certified by both the American College of Pathologists and International Organisation for Standardisation.
It was first shared publicly by journalist Alan Abrahamson, who initially broke the story of Khelif’s alleged failed test during the Paris Games.
Official Response Remains Unclear
As of now, Khelif’s camp hasn’t commented on the report.
The Algerian Olympic Committee, however, has pushed back, calling the allegations “unsubstantiated” and designed to “tarnish the image of an athlete who has brought honor to our nation.”
Interestingly, endocrinologist Jacques Young, whose name appears on the original 2023 report, is now distancing himself.
Speaking to DW Germany, Young said he believes his name may have been used to advance an anti-trans narrative.
“I think your statement perfectly reflects reality,” he said, when asked whether he felt manipulated.
Boxing’s New Testing Rules Set the Tone
In response to these controversies, World Boxing has rolled out new rules under a policy called “Sex, Age and Weight.”
The core of this policy is mandatory genetic sex screening, which looks for the SRY gene—a marker found on the Y chromosome—to determine biological sex.
These PCR tests can be done using cheek swabs, saliva, or blood, and will now be required for any athlete over 18 wishing to compete in female divisions.
Khelif Barred from Upcoming Competitions—for Now
A letter sent from World Boxing to the Algerian Boxing Federation states that Khelif is barred from the Eindhoven Box Cup in early June, or any other World Boxing event, until she completes the required genetic testing.
The organization also noted that although rules are typically changed through a broader vote by Congress, the Executive Board used its emergency authority in May 2025 to implement the new eligibility standards due to concerns over safety and fairness in combat sports.
More Athletes Under the Microscope
Khelif isn’t the only athlete raising eyebrows. At the same Paris Olympics, Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting also took home a women’s boxing gold despite having previously been banned by the IBA in 2023 over gender eligibility issues.
Morgan, who had previously commented on this issue last November when the German outlet Bild leaked similar claims, has doubled down, saying the medal should be stripped and given to “the best actual woman.”
What’s Next for Khelif and the Future of Women’s Boxing?
Whether the leaked report will be officially recognized or lead to the stripping of Khelif’s medal remains to be seen.
Khelif had publicly stated her intention to defend her title at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, but that’s now in serious doubt.
World Boxing says no one can compete in female boxing unless they’ve passed the new genetic test—and the governing body shows no signs of softening its stance.
For now, the boxing world—and broader sporting community—is left grappling with the same big question: how do we balance inclusivity with fairness and safety in women’s sport?