Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif hormone treatment details have emerged after the Algerian athlete confirmed she underwent medical procedures to reduce her testosterone levels before the Paris 2024 Games.
In an interview with French sports daily L’Equipe, Khelif addressed the gender controversy that surrounded her gold medal run in the women’s 66kg category.
She reiterated that she is not transgender and said her medical condition is natural and closely monitored by doctors.
Hormone treatment and medical supervision
Khelif said she has female hormones but acknowledged undergoing treatment to reduce testosterone levels for competition. According to her interview, the treatment was carried out under medical supervision.
“I have female hormones. And people do not know this, but I have taken hormone treatments to lower my testosterone levels for competitions,” Khelif said.
She added that during the Olympic qualifying tournament in Dakar, she reduced her testosterone levels to zero, stressing that doctors and a medical professor were overseeing her condition.
SRY gene confirmation
Khelif also confirmed she carries the SRY gene, which is located on the Y chromosome and is associated with male sex characteristics.
“Yes, and it is natural,” she said, explaining that genetic variations exist and that her condition was not the result of any medical alteration beyond treatment required for eligibility.
Gender controversy at Paris 2024
The boxer was at the centre of a global gender eligibility dispute during the Paris Olympics. The debate intensified after her opening bout victory against Italy’s Angela Carini and continued throughout the tournament.
The International Olympic Committee allowed Khelif to compete after setting aside a decision by the now defunct International Boxing Association, which had previously ruled her ineligible. Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting faced a similar situation and also won gold in Paris.
Public figures including US President Donald Trump and author J.K. Rowling commented on the controversy, prompting Khelif to publicly restate her position.
“I am not a trans woman. I am a girl. I was raised as a girl and grew up as a girl,” she said.
World Boxing rules and future eligibility
World Boxing, the body recognised by the International Olympic Committee, has introduced mandatory chromosome testing. Khelif said she is ready to comply with any required testing ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
Key points related to eligibility include:
• Mandatory chromosome testing for women’s competitions
• Medical documentation submission to World Boxing
• Compliance required for Olympic participation
Khelif stated that she has already sent her medical records and hormone test results to World Boxing but has not yet received a response.
Absence from competition
Khelif has not competed since the Paris Games. She was barred from a tournament in the Netherlands last year because she had not undergone the newly introduced chromosome test.
She is also awaiting approval for a French professional boxing licence, which she described as a logical next step in her career.
Eyes on Los Angeles 2028
Despite the challenges, Khelif said she remains focused on defending her Olympic title.
“I want to become the first person in Algerian sport to successfully defend an Olympic title,” she said, adding that she has no objection to further testing if required.
Conclusion:
Imane Khelif hormone treatment disclosures have added new detail to one of the most debated issues from the Paris 2024 Olympics. As global boxing governance evolves, her eligibility and future participation remain closely watched ahead of Los Angeles 2028.
