Olympic Boxer Imane Khelif Takes Legal Steps After Leaked Medical Report Reignites Gender Row

Algeria's Imane Khelif, who dismissed a debate about her gender eligibility to have won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, is all set to take big legal steps against media reports about leaked medical records, as revealed by the IOC. As per the reports, the 25-year-old boxer has XY or male chromosomes. The gender debate during the Paris Olympics 2024 erupted earlier this year after Khelif had beaten Angelina Carini in 46 seconds in the first round, where the Italian boxer was seen crying and left the bout after injuring her nose badly. This led to a debate, which grabbed the attention of politicians and personalities from Italy's Prime Minister Georgia Meloni to JK Rowling.

"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," the IOC was quoted as saying in a statement.

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

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The IOC reckoned that Khelif has been participating in the women's category in international tournaments for the last few years and that also includes the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and also in those tournaments, which are approved by the IBA.

The IOC also revealed that they were, "saddened by the abuse that Imane Khelif is currently receiving".

Khelif, who also got a warm welcome after she went back to Algeria to win the gold medal, had lodged a complaint in France for facing online harassment.

(With agency inputs)