In the world of international sports, boxing is now facing a storm of controversy—this time not for a dramatic knockout or a scoring dispute, but for what many are calling an invasion of privacy and a violation of human rights.
At the heart of this uproar is Algerian boxing star and Olympic champion Imane Khelif, whose eligibility and gender have once again become headline news.
Algeria Accuses World Boxing of Violating Khelif’s Rights
The Algerian Boxing Federation is not staying silent.
They’ve fired back at World Boxing, the sport’s new global governing body, accusing it of seriously mishandling Khelif’s case.
In a strongly worded letter, the federation slammed the organization for “violating” her rights and exposing her to public scrutiny without due process.
They claim World Boxing’s actions have inflicted emotional harm on the 25-year-old athlete, stating that the incident has caused “psychological damage” and left Khelif without a chance to defend herself.
The federation also criticized the group for ignoring the medical specialists who regularly monitor her health and hormone levels.
New Sex Testing Policy Sparks Global Debate
This backlash comes in response to World Boxing’s recent announcement: a plan to roll out mandatory sex testing for all male and female athletes as part of a new policy concerning sex, age, and weight categories.
The governing body insists the move is designed to ensure fairness and safety in the ring, but critics are questioning the approach—especially because Khelif was named in the public announcement.
Apology Issued After Khelif Is Singled Out
Realizing the backlash, World Boxing President Boris van der Vorst issued a public apology for naming Khelif in their statement.
In a letter addressed to concerned parties, he acknowledged the organization’s mistake and admitted Khelif’s privacy should have been protected.
The president clarified that the policy is not meant to target specific athletes but rather aims to create clear and universal standards for all participants.
However, the damage may already be done—especially as the apology came too late for many critics who believe Khelif was unfairly exposed.
Calls to Strip Her Medal and a Leaked Report Add Fuel to the Fire
As if the controversy wasn’t intense enough, a leaked medical report recently made its way into the media, claiming Khelif is “biologically male” based on chromosome analysis conducted at the 2023 World Championships.
The report reportedly indicates an XY chromosomal pair—something that has reignited debates over her eligibility and gender identity.
This leak arrived just as high-profile voices, including author J.K. Rowling, began calling for Khelif to be stripped of her Olympic medal—calls that are drawing sharp criticism from both fans and advocates of athlete rights.
IOC Responds: Federations Hold the Power
In response to the controversy, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has clarified its position.
According to the IOC, it is up to each sport’s governing body to establish eligibility rules.
“The factors that matter to sports performance are unique to each sport,” a spokesperson said, adding that the IOC will closely watch how World Boxing implements its new testing policy to ensure it’s done fairly, legally, and with athlete safety in mind.
What’s Next for Khelif and the Sport of Boxing?
With everything happening at once—the policy rollout, the apology, the leaked report, and calls to revoke Khelif’s medal—the world of boxing is at a crossroads.
What happens next could set a precedent for how gender identity and athlete rights are handled across all sports.
As for Khelif, her camp has remained firm: she identifies as female, she’s always followed the rules, and she plans to keep fighting—both in the ring and for her dignity.
This story is far from over, and all eyes are now on how World Boxing chooses to move forward.
Will they revise their approach?
Will other federations follow suit?
And more importantly, how will athletes like Imane Khelif be protected from future public humiliations?
Stay tuned.