Medical Report on "Men with Testicles" Sparks Uproar... Gold Medal Female Boxer Reignites Gender Debate

Paris Olympics Female Boxing Gold Medalist
"Internal Testes Present... No Uterus"
Medical Report Leaked... 'Gender Controversy' Rekindled

Imane Khelif (25), the gold medalist in women's boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics and an Algerian boxer who was embroiled in a gender controversy, is causing a stir after a medical report revealing that she is biologically male was leaked.

On August 9th (local time), at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France, during the women's 66kg boxing final of the 2024 Paris Olympics, Algeria's Imane Khalif (in red), who was embroiled in a gender controversy, competed against China's Yang Liu. [Image source=Yonhap News]

According to foreign media including Hindustan Times and Times of India on the 5th (local time), documents obtained by French journalist Jafar Ait Audia stated that Khelif has internal testes and XY chromosomes, indicating that she is male. It was revealed that she has 5-alpha reductase deficiency, a condition found only in males. The media reported that the medical report was prepared last June by medical staff at Kremlin Bic?tre Hospital in Paris and Mohamed Lamine Debaghine Hospital in Algeria, explaining Khelif's biological characteristics such as the presence of internal testes and absence of a uterus.

Previously, Khelif was disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) at last year's World Championships for having XY chromosomes, which generally indicate male sex. However, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) recognized her as female, stating that "there is no problem with Khelif competing in women's boxing events based on the gender indicated on her passport." Ultimately, Khelif won the gold medal in the women's 66kg boxing category at the Paris Olympics last August by unanimous decision against China's Liu Yang. Immediately after the match, she said, "I am fully qualified to participate in the Olympics. I was born and have lived as a woman just like other women," adding, "The criticism became my motivation. Thanks to their attacks, this gold medal is even more joyful."

At the 2024 Paris Olympics women's 66kg boxing final held last August at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France, Iman Khalif of Algeria (in red), who was embroiled in a gender controversy, is celebrating her victory against Yang Liu of China. Photo by Yonhap News.

The next day, Khelif filed a complaint through her legal representative requesting an investigation into cyberbullying by the Paris Prosecutor's Office. The lawsuit reportedly includes individuals who criticized her gender controversy, such as Harry Potter author J.K. Rowling and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. At the time, Rowling criticized her by saying, "Should female boxers suffer fatal injuries or die?" and Musk also posted, "Men should not interfere in women's competitions."

Meanwhile, netizens who learned of the news reacted with comments such as "Shouldn't the Olympic gold medal be revoked?" "It's unfortunate for the opponents who fought against Khelif," and "This is truly an unbelievable situation."