Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has said she would be willing to undergo a sex test if it allowed her to compete at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Khelif, who won women’s welterweight gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has been under increased scrutiny over her eligibility to compete in women’s boxing. The controversy dates back to 2023, when Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting were disqualified from the World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA) after allegedly failing gender eligibility tests.
Despite this, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) cleared Khelif to compete in Paris. The IOC later removed recognition from the IBA in June 2023, citing governance concerns.
Speaking to media on Wednesday, Khelif said she had “nothing to hide” and would comply with any testing requirements imposed by the IOC.
“Of course, I would accept doing anything I’m required to do to participate in competitions,” she said. “Women should be protected, but that protection should not come at the expense of harming other women.”
The 26-year-old has consistently competed in women’s categories and rejected claims questioning her identity. “I’m not transgender. I’m a woman,” she said, adding that she wanted to live her life without being drawn into political disputes.
Last year, US President Donald Trump referred to Khelif as a “male boxer” after signing an executive order banning transgender women from competing in female sports categories, comments that drew criticism from human rights groups.
In February 2025, a new governing body, World Boxing, was granted provisional recognition by the IOC. It subsequently introduced mandatory genetic testing for athletes to determine sex at birth and eligibility to compete. When announcing the policy, the organisation cited Khelif as an example, before later issuing an apology.
Khelif filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas) in August, challenging World Boxing’s introduction of mandatory tests. A hearing on the case has yet to take place.