Algerian boxing gold medallist Imane Khelif has accused the International Boxing Association of making “false and offensive” accusations after it launched legal action against the International Olympic Committee for allowing her to compete.
A cisgender woman, Khelif won gold in the women’s 66kg boxing competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She was the subject of global attention after defeating Italian boxer Angela Carini in just 46 seconds in a preliminary match, which triggered an onslaught of transphobic abuse and bullying, with people incorrectly calling Khelif “a man”.
Citing safety concerns over gender eligibility, the IBA announced in a statement on Monday it was filing a complaint with Swiss Attorney General Stefan Blatter against the IOC, with similar complaints to be filed in France and the US.
The IBA’s complaint specifically mentioned Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, with the boxing body citing US President Donald Trump’s executive order banning transgender women from women’s sports as validation of its stance. Trump had intentionally but incorrectly called Khelif “a male boxer” in his speech after signing the order last week.
Khelif has responded saying she will “stand in the face of any challenge”, and that her team are reviewing the situation and will take legal action to protect her rights.
“For two years, I have taken the high road while my name and image have been used, unauthorized, to further personal and political agendas through the spreading and dissemination of baseless lies and misinformation,” Khelif said in a statement. “But silence is no longer an option.”
Having always competed as a woman, Khelif was banned by the IBA from the 2023 world championships after a sex chromosome test that the IBA said rendered her ineligible. However, after the IBA lost its Olympic recognition over governance issues, the IOC took control of boxing and cleared Khelif to compete in Paris. The IOC stated Khelif was born a woman and had a long history in female competitions.
“The IBA, an organization that I am no longer associated with and which is no longer recognized by the IOC, have again made baseless accusations that are false and offensive, using them to further their agenda,” Khelif said.
“This is a matter that concerns not just me but the broader principles of fairness and due process in sport.”
In a statement on Wednesday, the IBA said it welcomed Khelif’s intention to file a lawsuit, saying it would give them the opportunity to prove in court that she was not allowed to compete in women’s boxing events.
The IOC has said the IBA statement was just another example of the IBA’s campaign against the IOC. Boxing has not been included as a sport in the Los Angeles 2028 program, as the IOC has said nation federations should establish a new global boxing body or risk Olympic exclusion.