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Algerian boxer Imane Khelif has not been banned from boxing nor stripped of her Olympic gold medal, according to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the World Boxing Organisation (WBO), and her coach, who all separately spoke to Reuters in response to false claims online.
An Oct. 3 Facebook post, opens new tab said: “‘THE END FOR THE OLYMPIC LIAR’ – Imane Khelif Stripped Of Gold Medal And Banned For Life After WBO Confirms Male Gender Identity”.

Khelif won gold in the women’s welterweight category at the Paris Olympics in August.
Her participation in the Games reignited debate over her eligibility to compete after she was disqualified by the International Boxing Association (IBA) from the World Championships a year earlier.


The IBA said Khelif failed a sex chromosome test. The IOC, which in 2023 stripped the IBA of its status as the global governing body for boxing, cleared Khelif to compete in the 2024 Olympics and said the IBA’s gender tests were illegitimate and lacked credibility.

Reuters Image

Reuters Image
Speaking to Reuters about the claims on social media that include Khelif being stripped of her Olympic title, an IOC spokesperson said: “There is absolutely no truth in these claims.”
A spokesperson for the WBO, opens new tab, which sanctions professional boxing bouts, told Reuters via email that it cannot impose suspensions, fines, or bans on non-professional boxers.
“The WBO does not have personal or subject matter jurisdiction over amateur boxers, such as Khelif, as we do not regulate or govern amateur boxing.”

Khelif is primarily an amateur boxer with a 46-9 win-loss record, according to boxing records website, opens new tab BoxRec. Her only professional fight, a victory, was in November 2023, opens new tab.

The WBO added that a doctor who opined about Khelif’s gender on an Aug. 14 WBO podcast, opens new tab episode was speaking as a guest.
Khelif’s boxing coach, Mohamed Chaoua, told Reuters via WhatsApp that social media claims relating to the WBO suspending Khelif and stripping her of titles were false.

The Algerian Boxing Federation, which did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment, said in an Oct. 3 Facebook post, opens new tab that “all false news about Algerian boxing in general, and the Olympic champion ‘Imane Khelif’ (in particular) is baseless and has no connection to the International Olympic Committee.”
When contacted by Reuters, an IBA spokesperson did not comment on the social media claim about Khelif’s Olympic medal, though said the association stood by the results of its gender tests in 2023.