Fact Check: Boxer Imane Khelif Not Banned From Competition Internationally

After false rumors resurfaced regarding Algerian boxer Imane Khelif, the World Boxing Organization (WBO) has stated that the athlete complies with all criteria for competition participation and is officially acknowledged as female.

Claim: STARTLING DEVELOPMENT IN THE WORLD OF BOXING: Imane Khelif faces lifetime ban following WBO's recognition of his gender, resulting in the forfeiture of all medals and $25 million in winnings.

The Facebook post was shared by Koa Smith, a professional surfer hailing from Hawaii who boasts approximately half a million followers. This particular post went live on March 14 and has since garnered over 80,000 interactions.

DJOGDJA NEWSFact check: False

DJOGDJA NEWS sought clarification from the World Boxing Organization (WBO).

"A written statement from the Organization dated March 19 states, 'She is acknowledged as a woman,'" reads the document.

"The world of boxing is currently assessing guidelines for gender diversity, with any resulting rule modifications to be implemented shortly," the statement continued.

This isn't the first time she has faced false accusations.

The discussion around the Algerian pugilist erupts repeatedly on social media at consistent time frames.

The athlete is suspected of actually being male and incorrectly competing as a woman. participating in the ladies' division . The accusations are paired with defamatory comments about the so-called "woke" Olympic Games and hatred of trans women.

In September and October of 2024, organizations such as the Australian Associated Press (AAP) and Reuters debunked equivalent or comparable misinformation through their fact-checking efforts.

Retroactively disqualified

In October 2024, the WBO informed the BBC that claims about Olympic champion Imane Khelif being barred and losing her Paris gold medal due to failing gender-specific fitness exams were “clearly untrue.”

Born on May 2, 1999, in Tiaret, Algeria, Khelif faced an unexpected setback when she was removed from the women's boxing world championships hosted by the International Boxing Association (IBA) in March 2023. This occurred following her win over undefeated Russian boxer Azalia Amineva, as she received a retroactive disqualification later.

As stated by the IBA, a "verified" test concluded that Khelif possessed an edge compared to her female counterparts. The specifics of this assessment were considered confidential and remained unpublished.

Conflict between the IOC and the IBA

Until this week, Thomas Bach, who served as the president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has consistently dismissed criticisms regarding Imane Khelif's gender identity.

Last October, he informed the global media that both Khelif and Taiwanese boxer Lin Yu-ting grew up and participated in the female division as females.

On August 1, 2024, the IOC issued an official statement condemning "the dissemination of incorrect data regarding two women athletes participating in the Olympics for Paris 2024."

Both athletes fell victim to an abrupt and capricious ruling made by the IBA.

In 2023, the IOC revoked the recognition of the International Boxing Association after suspending it back in 2019 over accusations of corruption. This was later validated by international sports law when the International Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne dismissed the IBA’s appeal in April 2024.

Between 2019 and 2023, the IOC was responsible for organizing the boxing events at the Olympics. Following their ultimate suspension, the responsibility shifted to the World Boxing Organization, which originated in Puerto Rico back in 1988. This organization is among the four primary bodies sanctioning professional matches and bestowing world championships in the sport of boxing.

Imane Khelif enjoys immense popularity in her home country of Algeria and has been celebrated as a heroine since then. Olympic victory At the 2024 Games in Paris, Khelif’s achievements have had a broader impact beyond just the athletic sphere. She is viewed by her supporters as a role model who questions conventional norms and reshapes perceptions of womanhood in athletics.

Edited by: Rachel Baig

Author: Astrid Prange de Oliveira