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Everyone is writing about the scandalous 2024 Olympic champion being found to have a micropenis. Is she really a man?
Everyone is writing that a gonioscope was found on the 2024 Olympic champion. Was she really a man?
The gender scandal surrounding Algerian boxer Iman Kelif, who became the 2024 Olympic champion, has taken a new turn. The French newspaper Le Correspondant published an article with the athlete’s medical parameters, who reportedly confirmed that she is a man.
Most of Khelif's medical data in the article is taken from the author, Jaffar Ait Audia, without any evidence that would support such an investigation. All I have is a screenshot of the medical report, which states that Iman has a microscopic speculum and testicles, but no uterus. Additionally, according to the document, the Algerian has 5-alpha-reductase deficiency type 2. This is a congenital defect that affects sexual development. Children born with 5-alpha-reductase deficiency are biologically female at birth, but are genetically more similar to males.
Khelifa was previously accused of having a male Y chromosome, which means athletes cannot compete in women's events. However, simply having a Y chromosome does not make the carrier a man or provide any physical advantage. The initial advantage over competitors only comes with increased testosterone levels. If levels are elevated, athletes may be asked to undergo testosterone-lowering treatment at the discretion of competition organizers. This is what happened to two-time Olympic 800m champion Caster Semenya.
In 2023, Kelif was disqualified before the World Championship final. The basis was a test that revealed the athlete's genotype to be a male Y chromosome. However, gender testing of the XY chromosome was abolished in sports in the 1990s. Admission criteria for women's competitions include testing only for testosterone levels. The World Championship was held under the auspices of the International Boxing Association (IBA).
Khelif’s hormonal tests, mentioned in the Le Correspondant article, showed that he had high testosterone levels. The level was said to be almost five times higher than the maximum for women, which is 14.7 nmol/l versus 3 nmol/l. Despite these circumstances and the IBA disqualification, Khelif was able to compete in the 2024 Olympics. According to the Le Correspondant article, Khelif’s participation in the Olympics was lobbied for thanks to his connections at the highest level: Mustapha Berraf, an Algerian IOC member and friend of Thomas Bach. The Algerian went to Paris and won gold in the 66 kg category.
The debate over Khelif’s gender identity continued during the Olympics. The athlete was harshly criticized by rival players and some sports officials. That’s why Reem Alsalem, the UN special rapporteur on violence against women and girls, expressed concern about Khelif’s participation in the Olympics. In her opinion, it put the physical health of other athletes at risk.
However, according to GLAAD and InterACT, Khelif is a woman who is not transgender and does not identify as intersex. She suffers from a disorder of sex development (DSD). This means that you can be born a woman but still have XY chromosomes. According to the UN, the proportion of such people on Earth is up to 1.7%. It is noted that women with XY chromosomes can live a full life and even give birth to children.
Another scandal involving Khelif has forced the sports world to question how fair her Olympic victory was. Renowned British journalist Piers Morgan has called for the Algerian athlete to be stripped of her gold medal. Martina Navratilova, an 18-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, agrees.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) and its president Thomas Bach have not yet commented on the situation. Their decision will determine whether Khelif will retain her gold medal at the Paris Olympics or lose it. Iman's future sporting destiny also remains in question. Will she be able to take part in the next major international tournament?