Imane Khelif ready for sex verification test ahead of LA 2028: ‘I have nothing to hide’

Imane Khelif became one of the most controversial and talked-about athletes after the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Where the Algerian boxer won gold in the women’s welterweight category. In the months that followed her triumph, comments made by opponents during the tournament fuelled a wave of misinformation, with Khelif becoming a target of right-wing groups falsely labelling her as a transgender athlete — despite her not being transgender.

Among the most prominent figures amplifying these claims was US President Donald Trump, who referred to Khelif as a “male boxer” while signing his controversial Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports bill.

As Khelif challenges World Boxing’s newly introduced sex-verification mandate at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), she told CNN that she would be willing to undergo testing if it allows her to defend her Olympic title at the Los Angeles Games in 2028. At the same time, she expressed frustration at being used as a political symbol by world leaders.

“I’m not transgender. I’m a woman. I want to live my life. Please do not exploit me in your political agendas,” Khelif said. “Of course, I would accept doing anything I’m required to do to participate in competitions,” she added, while stressing that safeguarding women’s sport should not come at the cost of athletes’ wellbeing.

“They should protect women, but while protecting women, they shouldn’t hurt other women,” Khelif said.

‘I was born like this’: Khelif heads to CAS

Khelif was barred from competition by the now-defunct International Boxing Association (IBA) in 2023. However, the International Olympic Committee no longer recognises the IBA as boxing’s governing body, a decision that allowed Khelif to compete — and ultimately win gold — at the Paris Olympics.

Her victory was followed by widespread misinformation, including claims that she was born male or had an unfair advantage due to disorders of sex development (DSDs). No evidence has been presented to substantiate these allegations, but they have continued to be used by political figures, including Trump, to stoke fear in women’s sport.

“I was born like this. Yes, I have hormonal differences,” Khelif said. “But I reduce my testosterone levels based on my doctor’s recommendations.”

In May 2025, World Boxing mandated sex-verification tests for athletes, a move Khelif has legally challenged on principle. However, she said that when it comes to Olympic participation, she is willing to comply.

“I have nothing to hide,” she said.

“Boxing does not rely on testosterone levels. Boxing relies on intelligence, experience and discipline.”