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Imane Khelif Confirms SRY Gene and Hormone Treatment, Open to IOC Testing for LA 2028

Her position intensifies a CAS challenge to World Boxing’s mandatory testing policy.

Overview

  • In a L’Equipe interview, the Algerian Olympic champion said she underwent medically supervised treatments to lower testosterone for competition, including reducing levels to zero before the Dakar qualifier for Paris 2024.
  • Khelif confirmed she carries the SRY gene and reiterated that she is not transgender, emphasizing that she was born and raised female and views her biology as a natural variation.
  • She told CNN she would accept genetic or sex verification only if conducted by the International Olympic Committee, adding that safeguarding women’s sport should not harm other women.
  • World Boxing introduced mandatory sex/genetic testing in 2025 and has kept Khelif out of its events pending verification, prompting her appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
  • Khelif won welterweight gold at Paris 2024 after the IOC allowed her to compete despite the IBA’s 2023 disqualification based on sex-chromosome testing, and she has since sought a French professional boxing licence.