Imane Khelif takes legal action amid gender scrutiny following historic Olympic victory

Imane Khelif’s victory in the women’s welterweight division at the Paris 2024 Olympics was a historic achievement for Algeria. Yet, her win has been clouded by ongoing scrutiny over her eligibility to compete in the women’s category. Despite meeting all Olympic requirements and receiving repeated confirmation from the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Khelif has faced persistent questions about her gender, which followed her throughout the Games. This week, the controversy escalated with new claims in the media suggesting leaked medical records indicate Khelif has XY chromosomes. In response, Khelif took legal action, filing a complaint in France to address what she describes as an invasion of privacy and unfounded accusations. The IOC responded publicly, expressing sadness over the harassment Khelif has endured and confirming her eligibility once again, emphasizing that she met all standards for both the Paris Olympics and prior competitions.

Produced by Charlotte Hocquet