Following her swift victory over Italy’s Angela Carini, Algerian Olympic boxer Imane Khelif faced unfounded accusations of being a man. Amplified by top figures, the claims continue to spread rapidly online.
The 46-second match ended with a punch to Carini’s nose, sparking speculation about the fairness of the fight. Carini’s refusal to shake hands added fuel to the fire. Critics alleged Khelif’s male identity, but GLAAD fact-checked these claims, confirming no evidence supports that Khelif is transgender or intersex.
Michele Donnelly, an associate professor at Brock University, criticized the allegations as a cover for a transphobic agenda. “It’s not about women’s sport at all,” she said, pointing to a broader intent to exclude transgender individuals.
Timothy Caulfield from the University of Alberta noted that misinformation thrives in echo chambers, where facts are often ignored. High-profile individuals like Rowling, who continued to assert the male identity of Khelif despite corrections, exacerbate this issue.
Both Khelif and Lin failed gender eligibility testing by the International Boxing Association (IBA) in March 2023, fueling further speculation. However, the tests did not include testosterone levels. The IBA cited Khelif’s XY chromosomes, which can occur in certain conditions in women. Rhe IOC, which cleared both athletes, aims to prevent exclusion based on transgender identity or differences in sex development (DSD).
Donnelly criticized the gender testing as paternalistic, pointing out that women’s sports often face restrictive eligibility requirements not imposed on men’s sports. She argued that top female athletes should be celebrated for their exceptional abilities rather than scrutinized.
Despite baseless claims, Khelif’s victory stands, and the discussion continues on how to fairly manage gender in athletics.
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