Leaked medical report fuels controversy around Olympic boxer Imane Khelif’s gender status

Algerian Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif has become the focus of global controversy following the leak of a medical report that allegedly confirms she has a “male karyotype,” or XY chromosomes. The test report, reportedly issued by Dr. Lal PathLabs in New Delhi, was published by multiple online outlets on June 2, prompting renewed debate about gender classification, fairness in women’s sports, and the privacy rights of athletes.

Khelif had previously been disqualified from the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA), reportedly due to similar test results. However, she was later cleared by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where she won gold in the women’s 66kg boxing category.

What Happened in the Imane Khelif Medical Report Leak?

The medical test at the center of the controversy is dated 2023 and is attributed to a chromosome screening allegedly conducted at Dr. Lal PathLabs, a reputed diagnostics provider in India. The test results reportedly indicate the presence of XY chromosomes, commonly associated with male biological sex. The report was circulated widely on June 2, 2025, across various social media platforms and news sites.

As of this publication, neither Khelif nor her legal representatives have confirmed the authenticity of the document. However, the IOC and athlete rights groups have condemned the leak, citing it as a violation of Khelif’s right to medical confidentiality. According to IOC officials speaking anonymously to Reuters and other agencies, the committee is currently assessing whether any violations of Olympic data protection standards have occurred.

Why Was Imane Khelif Disqualified in 2023?

Khelif was removed from the 2023 Women’s World Boxing Championships in New Delhi just days before the tournament began. At the time, the International Boxing Association, then still overseeing Olympic boxing, did not provide an official explanation. Media reports later surfaced alleging that a medical test had identified characteristics not aligning with female sex classification under competition guidelines.

That disqualification, while never publicly detailed, is now widely viewed as linked to the same chromosome findings in the recently leaked report. The incident sparked early debate over the definition of eligibility for women’s sports competitions, particularly in the context of intersex conditions or differences in sex development (DSDs).

What Was the IOC’s Rationale for Allowing Khelif to Compete in 2024?

Despite the earlier disqualification, the International Olympic Committee cleared Imane Khelif to compete in Paris 2024, citing a lack of universally accepted medical standards and a commitment to human rights. IOC officials maintained that the previous test did not meet procedural requirements for disqualification and emphasized the need for a consistent, science-backed approach to eligibility enforcement.

At the time, the decision was welcomed by several athlete advocacy groups, while others in the sports world, including some coaches and competitors, expressed concern over the lack of transparency in determining who qualifies to compete in female divisions.

Following her clearance, Khelif went on to defeat British and American challengers in a series of close bouts, securing the gold medal and becoming a national icon in Algeria. That victory has now come under renewed scrutiny following the leak of the test results, with some athletes and sports administrators calling for a formal review.

How Are Sports Bodies Responding to the Khelif Leak?

The emergence of the medical report has added urgency to the issue of eligibility policy enforcement. On May 30, 2025, just days before the leak, World Boxing—now the officially recognized governing body for Olympic boxing—announced a mandatory sex verification policy. Under the new framework, all female athletes aged 18 and above must undergo polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing to detect the presence of the Y chromosome.

World Boxing president Boris van der Vorst stated that the policy was designed to ensure fairness in competition while respecting athletes’ rights to due process. He added that the policy would apply uniformly to all athletes beginning later this year, with additional medical consultation and appeals procedures to be established.

In contrast, the IOC has not endorsed mandatory chromosome testing. A senior IOC official, speaking on background to The Guardian, noted that such testing risks violating athlete privacy and may not reflect an athlete’s functional competitive capacity. The IOC has instead urged all international federations to develop sport-specific frameworks based on scientific evidence and ethical safeguards.

What Has Imane Khelif Said in Her Defense?

Imane Khelif has continued to assert her identity as a woman and maintains that she has complied with all rules set by global sports bodies. Through her legal representatives, she has initiated legal action against multiple individuals and public figures for defamation and cyber harassment. Notably, these include Elon Musk and author J.K. Rowling, both of whom publicly commented on the test leak and implied that Khelif’s gold medal win was unjust.

Khelif’s legal counsel has described the leak as “a gross invasion of medical privacy” and said they are pursuing charges under international data protection and cyberbullying laws. In a brief statement issued from Algiers, Khelif said she remained proud of her Olympic win and called for “respect, dignity, and fairness” in ongoing proceedings.

What Are the Broader Implications for Gender Eligibility in Sports?

The Khelif controversy is unfolding at a time of heightened scrutiny over gender rules in competitive sports. Cases involving athletes such as South Africa’s Caster Semenya and Namibian sprinter Christine Mboma have already fueled debate over how to fairly define female eligibility without discriminating against athletes with natural physiological differences.

In April 2023, World Athletics announced stricter testosterone-level thresholds and banned athletes with DSD conditions from competing in female events unless they underwent medical intervention. Critics argue that such measures force athletes to alter their natural bodies to meet arbitrary benchmarks. Supporters say the steps are necessary to protect the integrity of women’s competitions.

Khelif’s case brings a new dimension to the debate, focusing not just on testosterone levels but on chromosomal classification—a far more rigid standard. If upheld, this could establish a new precedent for female eligibility grounded in genetic testing rather than hormonal metrics.

What Happens Next?

As of June 3, 2025, there is no official indication that Khelif will be stripped of her Olympic title. The IOC has reiterated that no rules were violated at the time of the Paris 2024 Games and that her eligibility was confirmed prior to competition. However, should new scientific or procedural evidence emerge—such as confirmation of the leaked test’s authenticity and regulatory status—the case could escalate to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Meanwhile, World Boxing has indicated that it will proceed with its mandatory testing framework in upcoming Olympic qualifiers. The new rules may impact future participation by athletes with intersex or DSD conditions, though it remains unclear how appeals will be handled.