In a stunning development that’s shaking the foundation of international sports, leaked medical documents obtained by The Telegraph confirm that Algerian Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif, who clinched gold in the women’s 66kg division at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has an XY karyotype—the chromosomal marker for biological males.

The revelation comes nearly a year after rumors swirled over Khelif’s abrupt disqualification from the 2023 World Championships by the International Boxing Association (IBA). At the time, the IBA cited “eligibility criteria,” but refused to disclose any medical details. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) pushed back, accusing the IBA of discrimination and granting Khelif eligibility to compete in the 2024 Games based on her passport gender—legally marked as female.

But now, with the full medical report leaked, the questions grow louder: How did an athlete with male chromosomes and no verified record of hormone therapy get cleared to fight women on the most prestigious global stage? And more disturbingly—why was this information hidden from the public in 2023?

“We Were Lied To”

Fellow athletes are furious. Several boxers who competed against Khelif in Paris are now speaking out, claiming they were kept in the dark about her chromosomal status. One anonymous silver medalist told Daily Blast, “I felt the difference in the ring. The force, the build—it was like fighting a man. But I didn’t dare say anything. Now I know why.”

Another athlete, who lost to Khelif in the quarterfinals, said, “We were lied to. We trusted the IOC to make sure it was a fair fight. That trust is gone.”

Online, outrage is spreading like wildfire. Social media is ablaze with hashtags like #JusticeForFemaleFighters and #XYScandal, as users debate whether the IOC allowed Khelif’s participation purely for the optics of inclusion—at the cost of female athletes’ safety and competitive fairness.

The Science, the Silence, and the Scandal

According to the leaked report, Imane Khelif’s medical test results in 2023 revealed not only XY chromosomes, but also testosterone levels above the typical female range. However, no record of hormone therapy, gonadectomy, or any other medical intervention required under IOC frameworks for transgender athletes was included in the file.

The IOC’s 2021 framework states that eligibility should be determined by the individual sporting body and that no athlete should be excluded solely on biological traits—a move praised by some, but heavily criticized for lacking concrete standards.

“It’s chaos,” says Dr. Lionel Hartwell, a sports endocrinologist. “There’s no universal enforcement, no uniform criteria, and in cases like Khelif’s, national politics can overpower science. That’s what likely happened here.”

The Algerian Olympic Committee has yet to respond to requests for comment. However, in a 2024 interview, Khelif maintained her identity as a woman and dismissed the 2023 IBA decision as “an act of prejudice.”

What Did the IOC Know, and When?

Perhaps the most alarming part of this unfolding scandal is the IOC’s role in suppressing the 2023 findings. Internal emails reviewed by The Telegraph allegedly show top officials aware of the XY karyotype revelation months before Paris 2024—yet choosing to proceed without public acknowledgment.

One damning message from a senior IOC member reportedly reads:
“There is significant reputational risk if this becomes public before the Games.”

Critics argue that the IOC prioritized image management over athletic integrity. Sports journalist Carla Jennings tweeted, “They buried the truth for a hashtag and a medal count. What message does this send to every girl fighting her way into sports?”

What Happens Next?

As pressure mounts, legal challenges appear imminent. Sources close to the American and Australian boxing federations confirm that athletes are considering lawsuits—not just against the IOC, but also the Olympic committees of Algeria and other regulatory bodies.

Meanwhile, conservative pundits are using the moment to attack broader transgender inclusion in sports, while LGBTQ+ advocates caution against conflating this case with the experiences of trans women who do meet the criteria for inclusion.

But nuance is rarely found in the middle of a firestorm.

As one former Olympian put it bluntly: “This isn’t about gender identity. It’s about biological advantage and the consequences of ignoring it.”

Whether Imane Khelif will be stripped of her gold remains to be seen, but one thing is clear—the gloves are off. And this fight is far from over.