State Duma deputy Svetlana Zhurova said that Algerian boxer Iman Khelif, who did not pass a gender test, might have been registered as a girl at birth, with male characteristics developing as she grew older. Zhurova’s remarks were highlighted by Match TV and entered the public conversation about eligibility in high level boxing. The claim raised questions about how gender verification is handled in combat sports, who interprets the results, and what impact those findings can have on an athlete’s career and future opportunities.
“I think she was listed as a girl from birth and then she grew up, and it was too late to change things,” Zhurova stated. “This is a Muslim country. They identified her as female, and when she turned ten new questions arose. Will this be explained, or what will happen next?”
A report circulated, attributed to a former French journalist, alleging that Khelif failed the gender assessment. The sensational claims intensified the debate around gender testing in sport and prompted scrutiny of the processes used to determine eligibility in boxing matches that carry global attention.
It was claimed that Khelif possessed male reproductive characteristics, including internal gonads and a structure resembling a micropenis, with hormonal tests indicating elevated testosterone levels. Such descriptions, if accurate, would underscore the ongoing debate about how to evaluate biological markers in athletes. The language surrounding these claims underscored the sensitivity and the potential for misinterpretation in high-stakes competition and media coverage.
Khelif failed the gender test at the International Boxing Association World Championships held in India last year. A Taiwanese competitor, Lin Yuting, also did not pass a similar test in that championship. In a later decision, the International Olympic Committee cleared both athletes to participate in the Olympic Games, signaling a nuanced approach where eligibility is reassessed within the broader Olympic framework and with attention to athletes’ rights and competing standards.
Khelif had previously stated intentions to pursue professional boxing, signaling a career path that would continue beyond amateur competition. The broader discussion around this case centers on how sports federations balance fairness for all competitors with privacy, medical ethics, and the evolving science of gender verification. The incident has become part of a longer conversation about eligibility criteria, athlete welfare, and the evolving rules that govern international sports participation.