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"Biographies of living persons ("BLPs") must be written conservatively and with regard for the subject's privacy. Wikipedia is an encyclopedia, not a tabloid: it is not Wikipedia's job to be sensationalist, or to be the primary vehicle for the spread of titillating claims about people's lives." - WP:BLP. In theory this could be a neutral statement about a curious quirk of biology; in practice it'll make people think or wonder about Khelif, and per the note on records, has no basis to do so.
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In March 2023, Khelif competed for the gold medal in the finals at the [[2023 IBA Women's World Boxing Championships – Welterweight|IBA Women's World Boxing Championships]]; however, she was disqualified for failing to meet the [[International Boxing Association]]'s (IBA) eligibility criteria. According to the [[Algerian Olympic Committee]], Khelif was disqualified due to medical reasons; later reports indicated her [[testosterone]] levels were too high to compete.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chakraborty |first=Amlan |date=26 March 2023 |title=Two disqualified for failing to meet eligibility criteria at world champs |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/two-disqualified-failing-meet-eligibility-criteria-world-champs-2023-03-26/ |access-date=1 April 2023}}</ref><ref name="BBC News-2024">{{cite news |title=Boxers Lin and Khelif cleared for Olympics |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/c4ngr93d9pgo |access-date=30 July 2024 |work=BBC News |date=30 July 2024}}</ref>
In March 2023, Khelif competed for the gold medal in the finals at the [[2023 IBA Women's World Boxing Championships – Welterweight|IBA Women's World Boxing Championships]]; however, she was disqualified for failing to meet the [[International Boxing Association]]'s (IBA) eligibility criteria. According to the [[Algerian Olympic Committee]], Khelif was disqualified due to medical reasons; later reports indicated her [[testosterone]] levels were too high to compete.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chakraborty |first=Amlan |date=26 March 2023 |title=Two disqualified for failing to meet eligibility criteria at world champs |language=en |work=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/lifestyle/sports/two-disqualified-failing-meet-eligibility-criteria-world-champs-2023-03-26/ |access-date=1 April 2023}}</ref><ref name="BBC News-2024">{{cite news |title=Boxers Lin and Khelif cleared for Olympics |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/c4ngr93d9pgo |access-date=30 July 2024 |work=BBC News |date=30 July 2024}}</ref>


In 2023, IBA president [[Umar Kremlev]] told Russian news agency [[TASS]] that the disqualifications were because [[DNA tests]] "proved they had [[XY sex-determination system|XY chromosomes]]".<ref name="Ingle-2024">{{cite news |last1=Ingle |first1=Sean |date=30 July 2024 |title=Boxers who failed gender tests at world championships cleared to compete at Olympics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/29/boxers-who-failed-gender-tests-at-world-championships-cleared-to-compete-at-olympics |access-date=30 July 2024 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="Carpenter-2024">{{cite web |last1=Carpenter |first1=Les |title=Olympic boxer who faced gender-eligibility claim wins, igniting outcry |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2024/08/01/imane-khelif-algerian-boxer-gender-paris-olympics/ |access-date=2 August 2024 |website=Washington Post}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' stated, "It remains unclear what standards Khelif and [[Lin Yu Ting]] failed [in 2023] to lead to the disqualifications,"<ref name="Carpenter-2024" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ingle |first1=Sean |title=Boxers who failed gender tests at world championships cleared to compete at Olympics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/29/boxers-who-failed-gender-tests-at-world-championships-cleared-to-compete-at-olympics |access-date=30 July 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=30 July 2024}}</ref> further writing, "There never has been evidence that [...] Khelif [...] had XY chromosomes or elevated levels of testosterone".<ref name="Carpenter-2024" /> The IBA did not reveal the testing methodology, stating the "specifics remain confidential."<ref name="Euronews-2024" /> Endocrinologist Gianluca Aimaretti, despite not having seen Khelif's clinical records, acknowledged rare pathological instances where XY chromosomes can present in a woman. They suggested Khelif "could have been born with a congenital disease that caused a disorder of sexual differentiation."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Palma |first1=Francesco |date=1 August 2024 |title=Caso Khelif, il medico: "Non è transgender. L'ok del Cio va rispettato: non arriva su basi ideologiche" |url=https://www.gazzetta.it/olimpiadi/discipline/pugilato/01-08-2024/imane-khelif-perche-ha-il-cromosoma-xy-e-quale-e-la-differenza-tra-intersex-e-transgender.shtml |access-date=2 August 2024 |website=La Gazzetta dello Sport |language=it}}</ref> At the time, Khelif said the ruling meant having "characteristics that mean I can't box with women", but said she was the victim of a "big conspiracy" with this disqualification.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-26 |title=Algerian boxer Imane Khelif excluded from Women's World Boxing Championship final over 'eligibility' |url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/algerian-boxer-imane-khelif-excluded-from-womens-world-boxing-championship-final-over-eligibility-12352992.html |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}}</ref> She initially appealed to the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]] but later withdrew.<ref name="BBC Sport-2024">{{Cite web |date=2024-07-31 |title=Paris 2024: Algeria condemn 'baseless attacks' on boxer |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/crgmyv9my0do |access-date=2024-08-01 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>
In 2023, IBA president [[Umar Kremlev]] told Russian news agency [[TASS]] that the disqualifications were because [[DNA tests]] "proved they had [[XY sex-determination system|XY chromosomes]]".<ref name="Ingle-2024">{{cite news |last1=Ingle |first1=Sean |date=30 July 2024 |title=Boxers who failed gender tests at world championships cleared to compete at Olympics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/29/boxers-who-failed-gender-tests-at-world-championships-cleared-to-compete-at-olympics |access-date=30 July 2024 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref name="Carpenter-2024">{{cite web |last1=Carpenter |first1=Les |title=Olympic boxer who faced gender-eligibility claim wins, igniting outcry |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/olympics/2024/08/01/imane-khelif-algerian-boxer-gender-paris-olympics/ |access-date=2 August 2024 |website=Washington Post}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'' stated, "It remains unclear what standards Khelif and [[Lin Yu Ting]] failed [in 2023] to lead to the disqualifications,"<ref name="Carpenter-2024" /><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ingle |first1=Sean |title=Boxers who failed gender tests at world championships cleared to compete at Olympics |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/article/2024/jul/29/boxers-who-failed-gender-tests-at-world-championships-cleared-to-compete-at-olympics |access-date=30 July 2024 |work=The Guardian |date=30 July 2024}}</ref> further writing, "There never has been evidence that [...] Khelif [...] had XY chromosomes or elevated levels of testosterone".<ref name="Carpenter-2024" /> The IBA did not reveal the testing methodology, stating the "specifics remain confidential."<ref name="Euronews-2024" /> At the time, Khelif said the ruling meant having "characteristics that mean I can't box with women", but said she was the victim of a "big conspiracy" with this disqualification.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-26 |title=Algerian boxer Imane Khelif excluded from Women's World Boxing Championship final over 'eligibility' |url=https://www.firstpost.com/sports/algerian-boxer-imane-khelif-excluded-from-womens-world-boxing-championship-final-over-eligibility-12352992.html |access-date=2024-08-02 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}}</ref> She initially appealed to the [[Court of Arbitration for Sport]] but later withdrew.<ref name="BBC Sport-2024">{{Cite web |date=2024-07-31 |title=Paris 2024: Algeria condemn 'baseless attacks' on boxer |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/olympics/articles/crgmyv9my0do |access-date=2024-08-01 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-GB}}</ref>


On 31 July 2024, regarding their 2023 decision, the IBA stated that Khelif and others "did not undergo a testosterone examination but were subject to a separate and recognized test, whereby the specifics remain confidential", and that they "were found to have competitive advantages over other female competitors".<ref>{{cite web |title=Statement made by the International Boxing Association regarding Athletes Disqualifications in World Boxing Championships 2023 |url=https://www.iba.sport/news/statement-made-by-the-international-boxing-association-regarding-athletes-disqualifications-in-world-boxing-championships-2023/ |publisher=[[International Boxing Association]] |date=July 31, 2024 |accessdate=2024-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731211632/https://www.iba.sport/news/statement-made-by-the-international-boxing-association-regarding-athletes-disqualifications-in-world-boxing-championships-2023/ |archive-date=2024-07-31}}</ref> The following day, the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) released their own statement in response, stating that the IBA's decision was "sudden and arbitrary" and "without any due process". They further stated the following:
On 31 July 2024, regarding their 2023 decision, the IBA stated that Khelif and others "did not undergo a testosterone examination but were subject to a separate and recognized test, whereby the specifics remain confidential", and that they "were found to have competitive advantages over other female competitors".<ref>{{cite web |title=Statement made by the International Boxing Association regarding Athletes Disqualifications in World Boxing Championships 2023 |url=https://www.iba.sport/news/statement-made-by-the-international-boxing-association-regarding-athletes-disqualifications-in-world-boxing-championships-2023/ |publisher=[[International Boxing Association]] |date=July 31, 2024 |accessdate=2024-08-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240731211632/https://www.iba.sport/news/statement-made-by-the-international-boxing-association-regarding-athletes-disqualifications-in-world-boxing-championships-2023/ |archive-date=2024-07-31}}</ref> The following day, the [[International Olympic Committee]] (IOC) released their own statement in response, stating that the IBA's decision was "sudden and arbitrary" and "without any due process". They further stated the following:

Revision as of 21:02, 2 August 2024

Imane Khelif
Khelif with a medal at a sports competition. She is wearing a backwards cap and athletic wear, smiling towards the camera.
Khelif at the 2023 Arab Games
Born (1999-05-02) 2 May 1999 (age 25)
Tiaret, Algeria
NationalityAlgerian
Statistics
Weight class
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
StanceOrthodox
Boxing record[1]
Total fights51
Wins42 (4 later disqualified)
Wins by KO6
Losses9
Draws0
No contests0
Medal record
Women's amateur boxing
Representing  Algeria
World Championships
Silver medal – second place 2022 Istanbul Light welterweight
African Championships
Gold medal – first place 2022 Maputo Light welterweight
Mediterranean Games
Gold medal – first place 2022 Oran Light welterweight
Arab Games
Gold medal – first place 2023 Algiers Welterweight

Imane Khelif (Template:Lang-ar, pronounced [ʔiːˈmaːn xaˈliːf]; born 2 May 1999) is an Algerian professional boxer. She represented Algeria at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

Early life

Khelif grew up in a rural village in Tiaret Province, in northwestern Algeria.[2] She originally played football before switching to boxing. In her early years, she had to commute to a neighboring village to attend training sessions, and sold scrap metal to afford the bus fare.[3] She stated that her father initially did not allow her to participate in the sport because "he did not approve of boxing for girls".[4]

Career

2018–2021: Career beginnings and Olympic debut

At the 2018 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships, Khelif finished 17th in the women's lightweight event after being eliminated in the first round by Karina Ibragimova.[5] At the 2019 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships, she finished 33rd in the women's lightweight event after being eliminated in the first round by Natalia Shadrina.[3][6]

In March 2021, she won a gold medal at the Istanbul Bosphorus International Boxing Tournament, defeating Anastasia Belyakova in the final of the women's lightweight event.[7][8]

She represented Algeria in the women's lightweight event at the 2020 Summer Olympics,[9] where she was defeated by Ireland's Kellie Harrington in the quarterfinals.[10][11]

2022: IBA Championships final and boxing successes

In February 2022, Khelif won a gold medal at the Strandja Memorial Tournament after defeating Nataliya Sychugova in the final of the women's 63 kg event.[12][13]

Khelif was selected as Algeria's flagbearer at the 2022 IBA Women's World Boxing Championships.[14] At the tournament, she became the first Algerian female boxer to reach the final after defeating Chelsey Heijnen.[15] She was then defeated by Amy Broadhurst in the final and finished runner-up.[16][17] Later that year, Khelif saw further success, winning gold medals at the Mediterranean Games and the African Amateur Boxing Championships.[18][19]

2023: IBA Championships disqualification

Khelif receiving her gold medal after defeating Morocco's Oumaïma Belahbib in the women's welterweight final of the 2023 Arab Games

In March 2023, Khelif competed for the gold medal in the finals at the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships; however, she was disqualified for failing to meet the International Boxing Association's (IBA) eligibility criteria. According to the Algerian Olympic Committee, Khelif was disqualified due to medical reasons; later reports indicated her testosterone levels were too high to compete.[20][21]

In 2023, IBA president Umar Kremlev told Russian news agency TASS that the disqualifications were because DNA tests "proved they had XY chromosomes".[22][23] The Washington Post stated, "It remains unclear what standards Khelif and Lin Yu Ting failed [in 2023] to lead to the disqualifications,"[23][24] further writing, "There never has been evidence that [...] Khelif [...] had XY chromosomes or elevated levels of testosterone".[23] The IBA did not reveal the testing methodology, stating the "specifics remain confidential."[25] At the time, Khelif said the ruling meant having "characteristics that mean I can't box with women", but said she was the victim of a "big conspiracy" with this disqualification.[26] She initially appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport but later withdrew.[4]

On 31 July 2024, regarding their 2023 decision, the IBA stated that Khelif and others "did not undergo a testosterone examination but were subject to a separate and recognized test, whereby the specifics remain confidential", and that they "were found to have competitive advantages over other female competitors".[27] The following day, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) released their own statement in response, stating that the IBA's decision was "sudden and arbitrary" and "without any due process". They further stated the following:

According to the IBA minutes available on their website, this decision was initially taken solely by the IBA Secretary General and CEO. The IBA Board only ratified it afterwards and only subsequently requested that a procedure to follow in similar cases in the future be established and reflected in the IBA Regulations. The minutes also say that the IBA should "establish a clear procedure on gender testing".[28]

In July 2023, four months after the IBA Championships disqualification, Khelif represented Algeria at the Arab Games, where she won a gold medal in the women's welterweight event.[29]

In November 2023, she announced that she was turning professional.[30] Her first professional fight took place in Singapore that month.[31]

2024: Summer Olympics

In January 2024, Khelif became a UNICEF national ambassador.[3][4]

The IBA's Olympic status was revoked in June 2023,[32] due to governance issues and perceived judging and refereeing corruption.[25][33] As a result, the boxing events in Paris for the 2024 Summer Olympics were managed by the IOC's Paris 2024 Boxing Unit.[22] The IOC, using different rules from the IBA, cleared Khelif to compete in Paris, confirming that she complied with all necessary eligibility and medical regulations for the event.[21][34] The IOC stated that Khelif was a woman according to her passport and said that all athletes competing in Paris comply with the competition's eligibility and entry regulations.[28]

Khelif is scheduled to fight Luca Hámori of Hungary in the quarterfinals on 3 August.[35]

Round against Angela Carini

In the second round of the women's 66 kg event, held on 1 August, she defeated Angela Carini of Italy 46 seconds after the match commenced, when Carini withdrew after receiving two powerful blows, citing intense pain in her nose. Carini cited an "unfairness" of competing against Khelif.[36][37] Because of this, Khelif received a wave of online backlash from those who questioned her gender.[38]

The Algerian Olympic Committee (COA) defended Khelif, describing the reaction towards Khelif as "unethical targeting" and "baseless propaganda". The COA stated that they have taken all necessary measures to protect Khelif and her right to compete in the Olympics.[4]

On 2 August, Carini apologized to Khelif via the Italian magazine Gazzetta dello Sport, stating, "All this controversy makes me sad [...] I'm sorry for my opponent, too. If the IOC said she can fight, I respect that decision".[39][40]

References

  1. ^ "Boxing record for Imane Khelif". BoxRec.
  2. ^ Armelli, Paolo (1 August 2024). "The Shameful Controversy Over Olympic Boxer Imane Khelif". Wired. Retrieved 1 August 2024. Born in 1999 in Tiaret, Algeria, Khelif has been boxing since she was a child and has always competed in women's categories.
  3. ^ a b c Ayisi, Ruth (8 March 2024). "A top female boxer, Imane Khelif, dreams of gold to inspire young people". UNICEF. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d "Paris 2024: Algeria condemn 'baseless attacks' on boxer". BBC Sport. 31 July 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  5. ^ "AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships 2018 Women's Light (57-60kg) Draw Sheet" (PDF). Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  6. ^ "AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships 2019 Women's Light W60 kg Draw Sheet" (PDF). Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur. 13 October 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  7. ^ "Algeria's Imane Khelif and Argentinean male boxers made progress at the Istanbul Bosphorus International Boxing Tournament". International Boxing Association. 22 March 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  8. ^ "Tournoi du Bosphore : Imane Khelif remporte la médaille d'or". Radio Algérie (in French). 21 March 2021. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  9. ^ "Imane Khelif". Olympics. Archived from the original on 30 July 2021. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  10. ^ "Harrington guaranteed medal after reaching -60kg semis". BBC Sport. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  11. ^ "Tokyo 2020: Harrington guarantees medal with Khelif win". RTÉ. 3 August 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  12. ^ "Strandja Memorial Tournament finished in Bulgaria". International Boxing Association. 27 February 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  13. ^ "Algerian boxer Iman Khelif wins gold in Bulgaria". EPTV. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  14. ^ "Cérémonie d'ouverture : Imane Khelif désignée porteuse du drapeau algérien". El Moudjahid (in French). 10 June 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  15. ^ Bachir, Kenza (18 May 2022). "Imane Khelif en finale des Mondiaux de boxe: Historique !". Interlignes. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 18 May 2022.
  16. ^ "Le Président Tebboune félicite Imane Khelif, sacrée vice-championne du monde de boxe". El Moudjahid (in French). 20 May 2022. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  17. ^ "Boxer in gender row Khelif wins fight in 46 seconds". RTÉ. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  18. ^ "JM/Boxe: résultats des finales". Algérie Presse Service (in French). 2 July 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  19. ^ "Championnats d'Afrique de Boxe amateur 2022" (pdf). African Boxing Confederation (in French). Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  20. ^ Chakraborty, Amlan (26 March 2023). "Two disqualified for failing to meet eligibility criteria at world champs". Reuters. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
  21. ^ a b "Boxers Lin and Khelif cleared for Olympics". BBC News. 30 July 2024. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  22. ^ a b Ingle, Sean (30 July 2024). "Boxers who failed gender tests at world championships cleared to compete at Olympics". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  23. ^ a b c Carpenter, Les. "Olympic boxer who faced gender-eligibility claim wins, igniting outcry". Washington Post. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  24. ^ Ingle, Sean (30 July 2024). "Boxers who failed gender tests at world championships cleared to compete at Olympics". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  25. ^ a b "Olympics: Italian boxer abandons match after less than a minute". euronews. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  26. ^ "Algerian boxer Imane Khelif excluded from Women's World Boxing Championship final over 'eligibility'". Firstpost. 26 March 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  27. ^ "Statement made by the International Boxing Association regarding Athletes Disqualifications in World Boxing Championships 2023". International Boxing Association. 31 July 2024. Archived from the original on 31 July 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  28. ^ a b "Joint Paris 2024 Boxing Unit/IOC Statement". Olympics. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  29. ^ الألعاب الرياضية العربية 2023/ ملاكمة : تتويج إيمان خليف بالميدالية الذهبية في وزن اقل من 66 كلغ (in Arabic). Algérie Presse Service. 11 July 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2024 – via YouTube.
  30. ^ "Boxe : Imane Khelif passe pro". L'Algérie Aujourd'hui (in French). 23 November 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  31. ^ Benarbia, Yassine (24 November 2023). "Boxe : Imane Khelif réalise des débuts tonitruants dans le circuit professionnel !". La Gazette du Fennec (in French). Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  32. ^ "Olympics 2024: IOC says it is saddened by abuse boxers are receiving over 'arbitrary' gender row". Sky Sports. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  33. ^ Ingle, Sean (29 July 2024). "Boxers who failed gender tests at world championships cleared to compete at Olympics". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  34. ^ Nair, Aadi (29 July 2024). "Boxing-Two boxers who failed gender tests at World Championships cleared for Games". Reuters. Retrieved 30 July 2024.
  35. ^ "Algeria boxer in Olympic gender row wins in 46 seconds as Italian PM hits out". RFI. 1 August 2024. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  36. ^ Folk, Zachary (2 August 2024). "IOC Defends Female Boxers After Right-Wing Gender Outrage". Yahoo News. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  37. ^ Ouzia, Malik (1 August 2024). "Olympics 2024: Boxer Angela Carini quits after 46 seconds against Imane Khelif amid eligibility row". MSN. Retrieved 1 August 2024.
  38. ^ Sharf, Zack (1 August 2024). "J.K. Rowling, Elon Musk Criticize Olympics After Algeria's Imane Khelif Wins Women's Boxing Match Amid Gender Controversy: 'A Misogynist Sporting Establishment'". Variety. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  39. ^ Blinn, Michael. "Angela Carini has regrets after 46-second fight caused Imane Khelif Olympic gender controversy to explode". The New York Times. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  40. ^ Crivelli, Riccardo. "Carini: "Nulla di programmato, la mia resa non è debolezza ma maturità. Khelif? La abbraccerei"" (in Italian). Gazzetta dello Sport. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
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