Imane Khelif Defends Title Ambitions Amid Controversy Over Gender Eligibility

Khelif's Path to 2028 Cleared After IOC Overrules IBA Disqualification

By DTD- On Mar 20, 2025

PARIS: Paris Olympic Boxing Gold Medalist Imane Khelif has set her sights on defending her title at the 2028 Los Angeles Games, undeterred by recent political and gender-related controversies surrounding her eligibility.

Khelif, who won gold at the Paris Olympics despite a gender-eligibility dispute, has made it clear that she is not intimidated by U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order banning transgender women from female sports. Trump had referred to Khelif as “a male boxer” after signing the order last month. However, Khelif firmly responded, stating, “I am not transgender. This does not concern me, and it does not intimidate me.”

Despite the ongoing debates around the inclusion of transgender athletes and athletes with Differences of Sexual Development (DSD), Khelif remains focused on her goal. She is determined to retain her gold medal, emphasizing her drive: “I will defend with everything this gold medal,” she said in a recent interview. “I believe that the Imane Khalif of today is even more motivated and determined.”

Khelif’s eligibility was questioned after a disqualification by the International Boxing Association at the 2023 World Championships, but her path to the 2028 Games was cleared by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) after the IBA lost its Olympic recognition. The IOC’s decision was hailed by Khelif, who confidently declared, “The IBA is a thing of the past.”

As boxing’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Games awaits final approval from the IOC, Khelif continues to focus on her preparation, stating that she is ready to prove her mettle in the ring once again.