Controversial Olympic boxing champion Imane Khelif has withdrawn from competition, former manager Nasser Yesfah confirmed on Wednesday, August 20. The announcement came as international pressure mounted over fairness in women’s boxing, and just days after the World Boxing Council unveiled strict new eligibility rules.
Khelif, an Algerian who won gold in the women’s under-66 kg category at the Paris 2024 Olympics, became the focus of one of the most heated scandals in modern sport. A leaked lab report indicated the presence of XY chromosomes, confirming that the athlete is biologically male. Despite this, the International Olympic Committee allowed entry into the women’s category. The final ended after less than a minute, when Khelif’s French opponent abandoned the fight, citing unequal strength.
World Boxing’s new policy now requires all athletes to undergo genetic testing to determine sex at birth, replacing earlier hormone-based rules. Officials say the measure is essential to ensure fairness and protect female athletes in a combat sport where mismatches can cause lasting injury.
Yesfah said the boxer has effectively ended a competitive career, limiting activity to light training in Algeria and Qatar while focusing mainly on sponsorships.
