Algerian boxer has become a lightning rod for gender issues in sport following a gold medal win at the 2024 Paris Games.<\/p>\n
Published Feb 10, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 6\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 2 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n Imane Khelif has provided context on the boxer\u2019s biological makeup after becoming the central figure in a debate about transgender athletes during the 2024 Olympics.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Khelif, who won women\u2019s gold at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris<\/a>, told French media outlet L\u2019\u00c9quipe that in addition to a female phenotype, the Algerian also has the SRY gene<\/a>, which is correlated with males.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s natural,\u201d\u00a0Khelif told L\u2019\u00c9quipe<\/a>. \u201cI have female hormones. And people don\u2019t know it, but I\u2019ve already lowered my testosterone levels for competitions. I\u2019m surrounded by doctors, a teacher is following me, and I\u2019ve taken hormonal treatments to lower my testosterone levels. For the qualifying tournament at the Paris Games, which was held in Dakar, I lowered my testosterone level to zero. And I won the gold medal there.\u201d<\/p>\n The details come after the World Boxing Organization announced last August it would introduce mandatory sex testing<\/a> for all WBO competitions, specifically mentioning Khelif<\/a> when announcing the policy.<\/p>\n Khelif has since pulled out of WBO events, according to CNN, arguing that the boxer has become a lightning rod for the culture wars in sport and targeted by some of the most powerful people in the world. U.S. President Donald Trump name-checked Khelif\u2019s Olympic victory to justify restrictions on certain athletes under the executive order \u201cKeeping Men Out of Women\u2019s Sports,\u201d one of his first acts as president.<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Khelif told CNN that being in political battles isn\u2019t the goal.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not transgender. I\u2019m a woman. I want to live my life\u2026 Please do not exploit me in your political\u202fagendas,\u201d Khelif said.<\/p>\n What about the 2028 Olympics?\u00a0<\/p>\n The WBO\u2019s move may prompt the International Olympic Committee to introduce sex testing guidelines of its own in the run-up to the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. IOC president Kirsty Coventry has spearheaded an initiative<\/a> she calls \u201cprotecting the female category\u201d in sports.\u00a0<\/p>\n Currently, the IOC\u2019s framework<\/a> on \u201cfairness, inclusion and non-discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sex variations,\u201d released in 2021, includes notes that no athlete should be prevented from participating based on an alleged competitive advantage and evidence is needed to prove such claims.<\/p>\n But Coventry says there\u2019s support for revamping regulations.<\/p>\n \u201cWe understand that there\u2019ll be differences depending on the sport\u2026 but it was very clear from the members that we have to protect the female category, first and foremost to ensure fairness,\u201d\u00a0she told the BBC in June 2025<\/a><\/p>\n .<\/p>\n Khelif maintains there\u2019s nothing to hide, and any IOC requirements will be followed.\u00a0 <\/p>\n \u201cOf course, I would accept doing anything\u202fI\u2019m\u202frequired to do to\u202fparticipate\u202fin competitions,\u201d Khelif said. \u201cThey should protect women, but they need to pay attention that while protecting women, they\u202fshouldn\u2019t\u202fhurt other women.\u201d<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Poulin ruled out for Canada’s game against the U.S.<\/p>\n <\/a> Trump’s latest outburst helps Carney election plan<\/p>\n![\"Algeria's](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Khelif.jpg\")
Algeria’s Imane Khelif poses on the podium with the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Getty ImagesArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.5.3\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Algeria\u2019s Imane Khelif (in red) punches Italy\u2019s Angela Carini at the Paris Games. Photo by Getty Images \/Getty ImagesPolarizing figure in boxing<\/p>\n![\"Marie-Philip](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/canada-czechia-1.jpg\")
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