In a scathing editorial, Piers Morgan has criticized the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for allowing Algerian boxer Imane Khelif to compete in women’s events at the Paris Olympics, despite evidence suggesting Khelif is biologically male.
Morgan points to a leaked medical report from French and Algerian experts that reportedly confirms Khelif has XY chromosomes and internal testes, typically associated with male biology. The report indicates Khelif has a rare genetic condition called 5-alpha reductase deficiency, which can lead to atypical genital development.
“Anyone who watched the sickening, heart-rending farce of Khelif beating up on Italy’s Angela Carini back in August knew we weren’t watching a woman,” Morgan wrote. He referenced the bout where Carini quit after 40 seconds, later saying she feared for her safety due to the force of Khelif’s hits.
Morgan highlighted that the International Boxing Association (IBA) had previously banned Khelif from the Women’s World Championships for failing to meet “eligibility criteria” for women’s competition. However, the IOC allowed Khelif to compete in Paris, where Khelif went on to win gold.
“The IOC knew it,” Morgan asserted, referring to Khelif’s biological status. “So why did it still permit Khelif to compete against, and beat — in every sense — women? The answer is cowardice.”
The commentator accused the IOC of being “terrified of offending the woke mob” and criticized their policy that only requires athletes to have a female sex marker on legal documents to compete in women’s events.
Morgan cited Marshi Smith, co-founder of the Independent Council on Women’s Sport, who said: “The IOC and the Algerian Olympic Committee are complicit in endorsing male violence against women under the guise of public entertainment on the world’s largest sports stage. They stood by as women were subjected to physical assault for spectacle, stripped of safety, fairness, and their lifetime achievements.”
The editorial also referenced a United Nations report claiming that 900 medals have been “robbed from women by trans athletes” across 29 sports globally.
Morgan concluded by criticizing the IOC leadership, stating, “If a woman does die, it’s on the IOC.”
This controversy has reignited debates about fairness, safety, and eligibility in women’s sports, particularly in contact sports like boxing.
