IBA Demands Imane Khelif Return Olympic Gold
A heated debate has erupted in the world of amateur boxing, where IBA President Umar Kremlev has demanded that Imane Khelif, the gold medalist at the Paris Olympics, return her medal amid strong doubts regarding her gender, CE Report quotes Kosova Press.
Khelif, 26, dominated her category by defeating four opponents on her way to the final, but during her campaign, the IBA discovered that she was excluded from the 2023 World Championship after a chromosome test. Nevertheless, this did not stop her from continuing her journey in Paris and winning the top podium medal.
The IBA, which lost official recognition from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) due to corruption allegations, has been replaced by a new body, World Boxing, which has started implementing mandatory gender verification tests.
The new IOC President, Kirsty Coventry, announced the creation of a working group to “protect the female category” in sport, but so far Khelif has not been forced to return the medal, although it seems unlikely she will be allowed to compete at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
In an interview with SunSport, Kremlev expressed outrage: “No, I am not satisfied. A medal must be won with true merit. We must protect athletes and ensure equal conditions for everyone. Now that the truth has come out, that medal should be returned to its rightful owner — a real woman.”
Kremlev also harshly criticized the IOC, accusing them of unequal treatment of athletes: “It’s madness that IOC officials stay in five-star hotels and travel on private jets, while athletes share dormitories in the Olympic village. It is the athletes who bring the Olympic Games to life — they deserve more: true medals and respect.”
Imane Khelif has consistently denied being biologically male and has filed lawsuits for cyberbullying, naming prominent figures such as Elon Musk and J.K. Rowling as part of an online campaign against her.
Meanwhile, an IOC spokesperson reiterated earlier that the criteria for inclusion in sports categories are the responsibility of the respective international federations. “Factors affecting sports performance are specific to each sport,” the statement said.
Public pressure and the IBA’s reaction may lead to new decisions by the IOC regarding Imane Khelif’s medal and her participation in future international competitions.
