Imane Khelif, the boxer who clinched Olympic gold amidst a gender eligibility dispute, is pursuing legal action against media reports that allegedly divulged her medical records, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Recent reports in France allege that the 25-year-old possesses XY (male) chromosomes. Khelif won the women’s welterweight title at the Paris Games this summer, sparking significant controversy after the International Boxing Association (IBA) disqualified her from last year’s World Championships for failing gender eligibility criteria.

Khelif’s initial opponent in Paris, Italian fighter Angela Carini, withdrew from their bout 46 seconds in, stating she “had never felt a punch like this.” Khelif had previously filed a legal complaint with French authorities over online abuse and harassment during the Games. The IOC confirmed she is now taking action against new reports that surfaced in France earlier this week. The IOC expressed its sadness over the abuse Khelif has endured since her appearance in Paris.

“We understand that Imane Khelif has taken legal action against individuals who commented on her situation during the Olympic Games Paris 2024, and is also preparing a lawsuit in response to the latest reporting,” an IOC spokesperson said. “The IOC will not comment while legal action is ongoing, or on media reports about unverified documents whose origin cannot be confirmed.”

The IOC highlighted that Khelif has been competing in women’s boxing “for many years,” including at the Tokyo Games and IBA-sanctioned events. The IBA lost its recognition by the IOC last year due to governance failures, leading the IOC to oversee and set the entry criteria for the Olympic boxing tournament in Paris. The IOC reiterated that all athletes complied with the competition’s eligibility and entry regulations, along with applicable medical regulations enacted by the Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU). Athletes’ gender and age were based on their passport details.

The IOC stated that the same rules applied during the qualification period and emphasized its commitment to protecting the human rights of all athletes. “The IOC is saddened by the abuse that Imane Khelif is currently receiving,” the statement concluded.

After winning gold, Khelif asserted, “I am fully qualified to take part in this competition – I am a woman. I was born a woman, I’ve lived as a woman, and I’ve competed as a woman. There’s no doubt that there are enemies of success, and that gives my success a special taste because of these attacks.”

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