Imane Khelif is set on reclaiming Olympic glory as she targets a historic second gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. The 25-year-old Algerian boxer previously captured gold at the Paris Olympics amid a heated gender eligibility controversy.
Despite facing misconceptions about her identity, Khelif is determined to compete again. She firmly stated, “I am not transgender. This does not concern me, and it does not intimidate me,” addressing previous comments made by public figures that misrepresented her situation. Khelif emphasized her goal of securing a second gold medal in Los Angeles.
The landscape of boxing in the Olympics is shifting as the International Boxing Association (IBA) has been expelled from the Olympic movement. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) is now recognizing a new governing body, World Boxing, which is expected to facilitate boxing’s reinstatement in the upcoming Olympic Games.
Khelif’s achievements at the Paris Olympics, along with those of Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu Ting, have reignited discussions about gender eligibility in sports, drawing significant attention from media and prominent individuals. She admitted to being “deeply affected” by the intense scrutiny, saying her family lived through a challenging period, with her mother frequently in hospital due to the stress caused by the media backlash.
The controversy intensified after the IOC disregarded the blood tests that led to Khelif’s disqualification from the 2023 World Championships.
Khelif asserted her identity, stating, “I see myself as a girl, just like any other girl. I was born a girl, raised as a girl, and have lived my entire life as one.” She has an extensive background in the sport, having participated in the Tokyo Olympics and several World Championships prior to her rise to prominence.
IOC President Thomas Bach recently denounced the misinformation propagated by the IBA, attributing the controversy to a disinformation campaign originating in Russia. He reassured that the focus should remain on the athletes themselves, stating, “These two female athletes were born as women, they were raised as women, and they have competed as women.”
As Khelif prepares for what could be a groundbreaking third Olympic appearance, the ongoing discussions surrounding gender and fairness in sports continue to evolve, promising to keep the conversation alive in the lead-up to LA 2028.
