Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, who clinched the women’s welterweight gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is resolutely preparing to defend her title at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. Her journey, however, has been marked by challenges, including a gender-eligibility controversy and recent political criticism.
In 2023, Khelif faced disqualification from the world championships due to a gender test conducted by the International Boxing Association (IBA). Despite this setback, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) later cleared her to compete in Paris, where she emerged victorious.
More recently, U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning transgender women from female sports and referred to Khelif as “a male boxer.” Khelif addressed these remarks directly, stating, “I am not transgender. This does not concern me, and it does not intimidate me.”
With the IOC’s executive board recommending boxing’s inclusion in the 2028 Games, Khelif remains focused on her goal of securing a second gold medal in Los Angeles. She expressed her determination, saying, “I believe that if the old Imane operated at 50 percent of her potential, then the Imane Khelif of today is even more motivated and determined.”
