The boxer from Algeria Imane Khelifgold in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and which involved a gender controversy, being questioned during the Olympic Games by the International Boxing Organization itself, back in the news, now because of a medical report that insists she is not a woman.
According to the criteria of
Medical report on Khelif
This is a report that the French journalist had access to Djaffar Ait Aoudiawhich would indicate that the boxer he would have male biological characteristics.
The Algerian file, dated June 2023, comes from the Kremlin Bicètre University Hospital, in Paris, and from the Mohamed Lamine Debaghine Hospital, in Algiers and indicates that Khelif presents 5-alpha reductase deficiencya disorder of sexual development that exclusively affects people who are biologically male.
Gold medalist Imane Khelif of Algeria stands on the podium in the women’s 66kg final category of the boxing competitions at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games at Roland Garros in Paris, France.
Photo:
Share
This is a genetic disorder that mainly affects children and prevents the normal development of the sexual organs. At birth, babies have a blind vaginal pouch and, due to a lack of proper diagnosis, are often assigned a female identity.
But during adolescence they start to see masculine signs, such as hair, muscle mass or lack of breast tissue or menstruation. Clinical examination usually confirms the presence of testicles in the abdomen, a rudimentary prostate, as well as the absence of a uterus and ovaries.
‘Khelif has no uterus’
Photo:
Share
<a class="c-icon c-icon–twitter" href="https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Boxeadora%20Imane%20Khelif,%20oro%20en%20Juegos%20Ol%C3%ADmpicos%20Par%C3%ADs%202024,%20en%20nueva%20controversia:
As reported by Le Correspondent, the report would indicate that a pelvic resonance showed that Khelif He didn’t have a uterus and he had gonads. (testicles) in the inguinal canals, blind vagina and clitoris-shaped micropenis. It is also noted that the Algerian woman has an XY karyotype (an individual’s complete set of chromosomes) (typical of men).
The hormonal examination also shows that he has a “typical male testosterone level of 14.7”, although the female gender does not exceed the maximum level of 3. The report also indicates that Khelif’s parents may be blood relatives.
Although Khelif ”lives fully as a woman”, she has to make a sexual transition, with “surgical correction”, “hormonal therapy”, based on a monthly injection of “Decapeptyl” (to reduce testosterone levels), there is psychological help she also needs because. The results resulted in a “highly significant neuropsychiatric effect”.
Imane Khelif, in a fight for gold.
Photo:
Khelif, in Paris
The participation of Paris Khelif and Taiwanese Lin Yu Ting sparked a major media and political uproar after they were disqualified last year by the International Boxing Association (IBA) from the Women’s World Cup for failing to pass a gender eligibility test.
The Algerian will face China’s Liu Yang in the ring for the welterweight gold medal.
Umar Kremlev, the president of the IBA and an oligarch linked to the Kremlin, claimed via video call that Lin and Khelif had been “genetically tested” which showed testosterone levels.
Khelif defeated the Chinese Yang Liu by unanimous decision in the ring that was entered on the center court of Roland Garros, where she was cheered by thousands of Algerian fans.
There is a new controversy at the Olympics. Italian boxer Angela Carini has withdrawn from the fight against Algerian Imane Khelif, who has been criticized and is in the eye of the hurricane for high levels of testosterone, after he found a male chromosome in tests carried out in 2023.
Algeria won the first round strongly. The second round was also for her. In the third the Chinese responded, but the victory and the gold medal went to Algeria.
Khelif had already won a silver medal at the International Boxing Association (AIB) world championships in 2022.
SPORTS
More sports news
Engaging Interview Between Time.news Editor and Gender and Sports Expert
Editor: Welcome to Time.news, where we discuss topics that matter. Today, we’re diving into the complexities of gender in sports, particularly through the lens of the ongoing controversy surrounding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who won gold at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. I’m joined by Dr. Sarah Mitchell, a leading expert in gender studies and sports ethics. Dr. Mitchell, thank you for being here!
Dr. Mitchell: Thank you for having me! This is a very important topic that raises numerous ethical and scientific questions.
Editor: Indeed it does. To set the stage, could you summarize what’s currently happening with Imane Khelif and why this has sparked a gender controversy?
Dr. Mitchell: Certainly. Imane Khelif’s gold medal achievement at the Paris Olympics has been shadowed by questions regarding her biological sex. A recent medical report has suggested that she exhibits male biological characteristics due to a condition known as 5-alpha reductase deficiency. This disorder can lead to an individual being assigned a female identity at birth despite having XY chromosomes and male reproductive anatomy.
Editor: It’s a complex situation, to say the least. Khelif reportedly “lives fully as a woman,” but with the medical findings indicating she has male biological traits, this has created significant debate. How do you see this affecting her status as an athlete?
Dr. Mitchell: The implications for Khelif are profound. On one hand, she has competed and won on the same platform as other women; on the other, these medical findings question whether it’s fair for her to do so. The situation challenges us to rethink our definitions of gender and how they intersect with sports. It brings to light the complexities of biological sex versus gender identity.
Editor: Exactly. The report highlights the presence of testicles, a lack of a uterus, and significantly higher testosterone levels than what is typically found in cisgender women. Should such biological factors be the primary determinant for eligibility in women’s sports?
Dr. Mitchell: That’s the crux of the debate. Sports organizations have traditionally used binary definitions of male and female to categorize athletes. However, as we see with Khelif and others, biological sex is not a strict binary. The question now becomes: how do we create fair competition while also respecting the identities of all athletes? This requires nuanced policies that consider both biology and gender identity.
Editor: The situation is further complicated by the psychological impact of these findings. It’s reported that Khelif may require hormonal therapy and has experienced significant neuropsychiatric effects. What responsibilities do sports governing bodies have in supporting athletes who undergo such transitions?
Dr. Mitchell: They have a considerable responsibility. Governing bodies should ensure athletes receive comprehensive medical and psychological support. Additionally, they need to foster an inclusive environment that respects gender identity while balancing fair competition. Policies must be based on scientific understanding rather than fear, bias, or sensationalism.
Editor: On that note, there are concerns that focusing heavily on biological traits may lead to discrimination or marginalization of transgender or intersex athletes. How can we ensure that the conversation around athletes like Khelif remains respectful and constructive?
Dr. Mitchell: Open dialogue and education are paramount. We need to create spaces for athletes to share their experiences and for experts to provide insights without bias. Acknowledging the realities of both science and identity can lead to a more informed community that is supportive rather than judgmental.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Mitchell. As we continue to witness the intersection of science, gender, and sports evolve, it’s crucial to emphasize compassion and understanding. What message would you like to leave our audience with today regarding this issue?
Dr. Mitchell: I’d encourage everyone to approach these discussions with empathy and an openness to learn. Athletes are humans with diverse experiences, and as we navigate these difficult conversations, we should prioritize fairness, inclusion, and respect for all. Only then can we truly honor the spirit of sportsmanship.
Editor: Wise words indeed! Thank you for the insightful conversation, Dr. Mitchell. We look forward to seeing how this narrative unfolds.
Dr. Mitchell: Thank you for having me. I look forward to the continuing dialogue!