By Rabbani Hakani
Wednesday, 11 December 2024
08:08 WIB
Algerian boxer Imane Khelif is facing a new spotlight caused by allegations about her gender non-conformity. Joana Nwamerue, a Bulgarian-Nigerian boxer, openly accused Imane Khelif of being a man and made inflammatory comments about Imane Khelif's “biological engineering”. Nwamerue's statement was made after Khelif won a gold medal with Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-Ting at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Joana Nwamerue's accusation was that Khelif showed the same strength and technique as a man during training in February 2024, she also stated that Khelif was not born a woman. Nwamerue stated, “Khelif has certain internal problems... She is a man,” and demanded that she conduct public testing to confirm Imane Khelif's gender. Nwamerue's claim remains unproven and controversial to this day.
Khelif openly and consistently competed as a woman in international boxing, but in 2023 she was disqualified from the IBA World Championships as a result of failing a gender eligibility test. The tests allegedly showed elevated testosterone levels, as well as hormonal and chromosomal issues, including the presence of XY chromosomes in Khelif's body. This is associated with male characteristics. Georges Cazorla, Imane Khelif's coach, has acknowledged the findings of the tests, but Cazorla emphasized that Imane Khelif was born a real woman and is not transgender.
Health experts argue that Imane Khelif's case involves Differences in Sexual Development (DSD), a condition in which genetic, hormonal, or anatomical variations deviatexfrom the actual state of the individual's body to make a difference in identity as male or female. One such condition, androgen insensitivity syndrome or Swyer syndrome, can cause an individual to have male-like XY chromosomes but develop traits and self-identification as a woman.
Endocrinologist Dr. Myron Genel explains that DSD cases are medically complex and very different from the identity of a transgender individual. Elevated testosterone in an athlete like Imane Khelif who has DSD can raise issues of eligibility status in competitive sports, but this is highly variable and varies depending on the rules of the associations and governing bodies.
Imane Khelif has vigorously defended her true identity and taken legal action against any individuals who have accused her and individuals who have spread unfounded and unverified incitement against Imane Khelif's sex and gender identity. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) endorsed Khelif's participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics, also joining in confirming that Imane Khelif has met the requirements to compete as a female boxing athlete at the 2024 ParisxOlympics.
