Did Imane Khelif Fail Gender Test Before Paris Olympics? Here Are Real Facts About The Big issue

A major controversy has clouded Paris Olympics as Algerian Boxer Imane Khelif accused to be a ‘biological male’ decimated female Italian boxer Angela Carini which forced the Italian to quit their Women's 66 KG bout inside 46 seconds. 

The incident has been criticised heavily by people over the internet as they question how can International Olympic Committee (IOC) allow Khelif to participate. There is a lot of misinformation regarding Imane Khelif's gender and her failed tests. Here are the real facts about the issue. 

Did Imane Khelif fail Gender Test? 

Yes, Imane Khelif did fail a gender test in 2023 which meant that the International Boxing Association (IBA) suspended the Algerian hours prior to her World Championship Gold Medal bout in New Delhi back in 2023.  

According to the results of the test, Imane Khelif chromosomes were X,Y which are male chromosomes and hence the IBA decided to suspend Khelif from participating alongside Taiwa Lin Yu-ting who also failed the test. 

Also Read | Is Imane Khelif Really A 'Biological Male'? Here's Another Side To Story

Imane Khelif was banned from participating in any major event in female boxing, then why did IOC allow an alleged ‘biological male’ to participate in Paris Olympics. 

Why did IOC allow Imane Khelif to participate in Paris Olympics? 

As it turns out, Imane Khelif failing her gender test doesn't justify whether she is a ‘biological male’ or not because she has a condition classified as DSD - Differences of Sex Development. Under this condition a person's chromosomes are affected and their testosterone levels are elevated. 

Due to Imane Khelif going through DSD, her chromosomes show that of male which is why she failed the gender tests. Khelif was born as a female and is a socially accepted female. 

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IOC stripped off IBA of its recognition as a governing body due to governance and finance issues. And according to IOC's no discrimination rule that has been administered since the Tokyo Olympics, Imane Khelif is legitimately allowed to participate.