The publication of extracts from an unauthenticated medical report has reignited the controversy over the gender of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, supported by her national Olympic committee.
“Permanent and baseless attacks”. This is how the Algerian Olympic committee reacted after the publication by several media of an unauthenticated medical report presented as belonging to Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif. “We strongly condemn these attempts at destabilization which have no place in the world of sport,” declared the body to Deutsche Welle, Wednesday November 6.
An extract from the supposed medical document, dated June 2023 and circulating on the web since last October, suggests that the Algerian boxer presents androgen insensitivity syndrome. This is characterized by the presence of female external genitalia, combined with an absence of a uterus and a presence of male internal genitalia (the testicles). When the insensitivity is complete, the woman concerned does not benefit from the excess testosterone produced. And despite having XY chromosomes, the diagnosis considers the patient to be female.
The report in question was allegedly produced by the Bicêtre hospital in Paris. According to DW, the doctor who handled the file, endocrinologist Jacques Young, does not confirm the authenticity of the document. Medical secrecy requires. Without being cited, the person concerned nevertheless suggested that the treatment of the elements reported was subject to manipulation as part of a transphobic media campaign.
No controversy before 2023
Imane Khelif, aged 25, won the -66kg final on August 9 at the Paris Olympics. During the Tokyo Games in the summer of 2021, his participation did not cause any controversy.
The controversy over her gender, led by conservative circles, finds its origin in her exclusion, like the Taiwanese Lin Yu-ting, from the world championships in New Delhi in March 2023. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) had estimated that she could participate in the Games in the women's tournament.
After the abandonment of their fight, in the first minute, by her opponent in the first round, the Italian Angela Carini, Imane Khelif was the victim on social networks of a campaign of hatred and disinformation, marked by racism. She was notably presented as a “man fighting women”. A judicial investigation was opened in Paris after a complaint for aggravated cyberharassment filed by the acclaimed boxer in Algiers.
