International Boxing Association (IBA) President Umar Kremlev is calling for the Olympic gold medal of Algerian boxer Imane Khelif to be revoked. This demand comes after Khelif won her gold medal in women’s boxing at the 2024 Paris Olympics, an event that has drawn scrutiny due to the IBA’s recent controversies.
Kremlev’s push for transparency follows the IBA’s derecognition by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 2023. Concerns over the IBA’s governance and its financial ties to the Russian state energy company Gazprom have raised questions about the integrity of its competitions. Khelif’s victory has now become part of this broader discussion about fairness in women’s sports.
Khelif’s path to the gold medal has not been straightforward. She was previously disqualified from the IBA after failing a gender eligibility test, with Kremlev alleging that unpublished DNA test results indicated she had XY chromosomes. Khelif has denied being transgender and has faced significant challenges in her boxing career.
The IOC has defended the results of the Paris Games, stating that Khelif and another boxer who faced similar scrutiny were victims of an arbitrary decision by the IBA. In February, the IOC provisionally recognized World Boxing as the sport’s governing body, leading to the introduction of a new gender eligibility policy. This policy mandates that athletes undergo sex testing to compete in women’s events.
Kremlev’s comments come as the IOC’s new president, Kirsty Coventry, emphasizes the need to protect women’s sports categories. Coventry has noted that there is strong support for ensuring fairness in these categories, stating that a scientific approach should guide future policies.
Khelif’s recent absence from an international boxing tournament in the Netherlands was due to her failure to register in time. Kremlev’s call for her gold medal to be stripped highlights ongoing tensions in the world of sports regarding gender, fairness, and athlete rights.
As the conversation continues, many are watching closely to see how these issues will impact future competitions and the athletes involved.