Algerian Olympic gold medallist Imane Khelif has declared her intention to defend her title at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles and has dismissed concerns regarding her gender eligibility. Khelif, who won gold at the Paris Olympics amidst controversy, said she is not transgender and that the issue does not intimidate her.

US President Donald Trump recently signed an executive order banning transgender women from female sports in the United States and referred to Khelif as “a male boxer.” The order also cuts federal funding to educational institutes that allow trans girls and women to participate in female sports. Under the order, international governing bodies such as the International Olympic Committee (IOC) are being pressured to explicitly endorse gender-based participation in sports.

Khelif, who was previously disqualified by the International Boxing Association for failing a gender eligibility test, was cleared to compete in Paris by the IOC. She says her determination and motivation to win have only grown stronger since then.

The debate over the inclusion of transgender athletes and athletes with Differences of Sexual Development (DSD) in women’s sports has been a contentious issue, also playing a significant role in the current IOC presidential race. Khelif hopes that the next IOC president will “lead with true sportsmanship” and uphold the values of fairness and inclusion.

Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/sports/2025/3/19/boxing-champion-imane-khelif-targets-second-olympic-gold-at-la-2028-games?traffic_source=rss