The controversy surrounding Olympic gold medalist Imane Khelif has reached a new level of intensity, with the International Boxing Association president revealing detailed information about two separate gender eligibility tests that led to her disqualification from IBA competitions.
Umar Kremlev, who heads the IBA, has provided an exclusive account of the testing process that resulted in Khelif‘s ban from association-sanctioned events in 2022 and 2023. According to Kremlev, the initial concerns arose during the 2022 IBA Women’s World Championships in Istanbul when coaches raised questions about certain competitors.
“The first test was carried out during the 2022 World Championships, after we noticed some suspicious, suspicious moments. We decided to test a group of athletes, not just one or two. Two of the results came back, let’s say, abnormal,”
Kremlev explained to Mail Sport.
The blood samples from this initial round were analyzed by Sistem Tip Laboratory in Turkey. However, given the unprecedented nature of the findings, IBA officials decided additional verification was necessary before making any definitive decisions.
“It was the first time we had encountered a situation like this, so we felt it was necessary to conduct a second round of testing to be absolutely sure before making such a serious decision,”
Kremlev stated.
The follow-up examination took place before Khelif‘s scheduled participation in the 2023 IBA World Championships in New Delhi. This second test involved another blood analysis, conducted by Dr Lal PathLabs in India, which reportedly confirmed the initial findings regarding XY chromosome presence.
“That second test was done in 2023 and confirmed the same findings as the first, that they did not meet the eligibility requirements for female boxing. After that, the athletes were disqualified, and of course, we informed the IOC about the situation,”
Kremlev revealed.
Both Khelif and Taiwan’s Lin Yu-ting, who was also affected by similar test results, were given 21 days to appeal the decision through the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Neither athlete chose to challenge the findings, leading to their disqualification from IBA events.
The situation became more complex when Khelif returned to competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where she ultimately claimed gold in the women’s 63kg division. Her participation was permitted under International Olympic Committee regulations, which differ significantly from IBA standards and prioritize legal documentation such as passport designation over biological testing.
This divergence in approach has created a significant rift between the two governing bodies. Kremlev has been particularly critical of former IOC president Thomas Bach, whom he holds personally responsible for allowing what he views as an unfair competitive situation.
“Thomas Bach has always put politics to the podium, not the athletes who should be there in fact,”
Kremlev declared.
“Thomas Bach is leaving his position and running away like a rat. He should kneel and apologise to all the female boxers who became victims of this situation.”
The IBA president has called for Khelif‘s Olympic medal to be stripped and returned, arguing that the situation represents a fundamental betrayal of sporting principles. He also demands financial compensation for athletes he believes were disadvantaged by the circumstances.
The IOC has rejected the validity of the IBA testing procedures. Spokesman Mark Adams previously characterized the tests as illegitimate, stating:
“Those tests are not legitimate tests. The tests themselves, the process of the tests, the ad hoc nature of the tests are not legitimate. The testing, the method of the testing, the idea of the testing, which happened kind of overnight. None of it is legitimate and this does not deserve any response.”
Instead, the IOC continues to follow its transgender and intersex athlete guidelines, which focus on testosterone suppression requirements for transgender women and legal documentation for sex classification. Under these rules, Khelif‘s Algerian passport listing her sex as female was sufficient for Olympic eligibility.
Kremlev has expressed strong support for recent United States legislation that restricts transgender participation in women’s sports categories. He praised President Trump’s executive order on the matter, suggesting it represents a shift toward more stringent eligibility standards.
“As you know, Donald Trump signed an order stating that women’s sport is for women and men’s sport is for men. I’m absolutely confident that no one will be able to bypass this at the Olympic Games now, because the rules have become very strict,”
Kremlev commented.
The IBA president advocates for universal implementation of pre-competition gender testing across all sporting events.
“There should be one rule that everyone follows. Gender testing before every event. That’s the only way to make sure the fight is fair,”
he insisted.
This position puts the IBA at odds with advocates for transgender and intersex athletes, who argue that such testing regimes are invasive and discriminatory. However, Kremlev maintains that standardized testing is essential for maintaining competitive integrity.
“Everyone talks about inclusion,” he said. “But in the ring, there are rules. And rules are there to protect. Without them, we don’t have sport. We just have chaos.”
The controversy highlights the ongoing challenges facing international sports organizations as they navigate complex questions of gender eligibility, fairness, and inclusion. The stark differences between IBA and IOC approaches underscore the lack of consensus on these critical issues within the global sporting community.
Khelif herself has remained largely silent on the specific test findings, aside from what Kremlev described as
“a cryptic social media post.”
Her continued silence on the matter has only added to the speculation and debate surrounding her Olympic victory.
